PHOTO: Aerial view of the Tel Aviv beachfront. (courtesy Israel Ministry of Tourism)

Tel Aviv was ranked as the top beach party spot on the planet as part of a new list created by Matador Travel Network on behalf of USAToday.com.

The list describes Tel Aviv as "a new hotspot on the scene, with new clubs sometimes literally popping up overnight," and recommends that travelers "catch a few rays while chatting up some locals to find where the pulse is beating that night." The list ranks Tel Aviv ahead of travel destinations including Cape Town, Los Angeles and Barcelona.

"We are thrilled to see Tel Aviv gaining increasing international recognition as one of the world's most vibrant and dynamic coastal cities," said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America. "Tel Aviv's thriving art, music and nightlife scenes, as well as its impeccable weather, will be sure to delight travelers arriving in Israel this year."

The ranking comes as the Israel Ministry of Tourism reported Monday that 284,000 tourists from around the world arrived in Israel in March 2014, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period last year and a new all-time high for tourism to Israel.

Overall, 705,288 tourists arrived in Israel between January and March 2014, a 17 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The U.S. is the number one source of tourism to Israel (20 percent of tourists to Israel come from North America), followed by much closer destinations such as Russia, Germany, France and the U.K.

"We are thrilled to see a continual increase in tourism to Israel following last year's record-breaking figures," said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America, "which attests to Israel's growing reputation as one of the world's most unique and inspiring travel destinations."

A record 3.54 million tourists from around the world arrived in Israel in 2013. 

For more information about travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com.