by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:50 AM ET, Wed June 14, 2017
As the weather continues to warm, American Express Travel is reporting a 19 percent increase in summer travel overall and a 26 percent increase in travel to international destinations.
Travelers still love visiting popular destinations like London, Paris and Rome, but other international locations including Bilbao, Maldives, Zagreb, Mumbai and Ixtapa have started to become viable tourist options.
American Express Travel data showed there has been an upsurge in bookings to several underserved locations, including the Maldives, which saw an 117 percent increase in comparison to last summer. Another location with a huge increase is the Spanish city of Bilbao, which has seen an 114 percent increase thanks to its rise as a European art and culture center.
For travelers looking to head to Asia this summer, Ho Chi Minh City has seen a 97 percent increase thanks to the area's unique mixture of history and contemporary culture. In addition, the number of tourists visiting Mumbai has jumped 69 percent due in part to the architecture, bazaars, temples and enclaves.
"Our data is showing a 26 percent increase in international travel this summer, and while iconic destinations such as Paris and Rome remain favorites, our travelers' curiosity is prompting discovery of off-the-beaten-path global destinations," American Express Travel general manager Claire Bennett said in a statement.
"From the Maldives -which is showing an outstanding 117 percent increase in summer bookings - to Costa Smeralda, Marrakech and Zagreb, travelers are increasingly drawn to this idea of luxury escapism and seeking ways to disconnect - not from technology or creature comforts - but from the everyday chaos."
"They want to immerse themselves in exotic places and cultures and thoroughly explore the untouched corners of the world," Bennett continued. "When we meet new people, taste new food, experience new cultures and customs, differences may certainly be apparent - but then something amazing happens. We begin to notice the things we have in common."
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As for those looking to visit Europe, some of the hottest destinations include Costa Smeralda in Sardinia (a 90 percent increase); Zagreb, Croatia (an 89 percent increase); and Glasgow, Scotland (a 69 percent increase).
Tourists looking for more of a beach destination closer to the United States will find the Mexican city of Ixtapa has grown by 69 percent over the last year and boasts the clear water and popular dive sites which make it a must-see location.
Regardless of where travelers decide to visit this summer, these off-the-beaten-path destinations have grown tremendously and offer tourists ample options for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
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