A new study by Heepsy reported that travelers and explorers are opting for non-European locations and countries to visit for their vacation planning. The global travel landscape is diversifying from many looking for non-traditional destinations to visit.Â
UAE has topped the survey list for a non-European substitute for travellers as European cities and famous destinations like Barcelona, Venice, Amsterdam are facing overtourism and facing restrictions for tourists and residents protesting against mass tourism.Â
“The data clearly shows travelers have excellent alternatives to Europe’s overtourism crisis,” says Tabi Vicuña, Founder of Heepsy. “Many travelers don’t realize how well-prepared these destinations are for tourism, from high safety levels and extensive hotel networks to thousands of activities. The temperature data also shows these places offer year-round comfort. What really validates these findings is the social media activity – millions of posts suggest users are having experiences worth sharing with the world.”
Top 10 Non-European Destinations in 2025 for Travel
Country | Safety | Temp | Popular Tourist Spots | Things to Do | IG Hashtags | Travel Rating |
United Arab Emirates | 85 | 33 °C | Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, Sheikh Zayed Mosque | 8,851 | 18.2M | 100 |
Qatar | 85 | 37 °C | Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, The Pearl-Qatar | 688 | 35.9M | 98 |
Taiwan | 83 | 29 °C | Taipei 101, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake | 565 | 38.4M | 95 |
Macao | 82 | 27 °C | Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, Venetian Macao | 67 | 1.4M | 90 |
Oman | 81 | 30 °C | Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Nizwa Fort, Wahiba Sands | 1,314 | 19.8M | 86 |
Hong Kong | 79 | 29 °C | Victoria Peak, Big Buddha, Hong Kong Disneyland | 489 | 785K | 83 |
Japan | 77 | 26 °C | Mount Fuji, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Tokyo Disneyland | 8,657 | 3.8M | 80 |
China | 77 | 25 °C | Great Wall, Forbidden City, Zhangjiajie National Forest | 10,000 | 1.7M | 78 |
Singapore | 77 | 26 °C | Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island | 875 | 2.3M | 68 |
Bahrain | 76 | 33 °C | Bahrain Fort, Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Bahrain National Museum | 103 | 32.1M | 65 |
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most sought after destinations in general for explorers and travelers opting for a neutral space that combines traditional and heritage sites along with entertaining venues. It is also strategically positioned as a bridge between the East and the West, making it one of the most viable locations for long travels.
Compared to the growing and spiking cost of travel in the European countries and other famous and usual destinations is also one of the biggest reasons for travelers to opt for UAE, which also has several short term Visa options and extensions available for influencers and tourists. UAE also provides excellent cost compromise options in accommodation, dining and compact travel options.Â
80% of UAE travellers now prefer lesser-known, budget-friendly destinations over mainstream ones. Data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that international visitor spending in the United Arab Emirates is set to reach a record AED 228.5BN in 2025, 37% above the previous peak of 2019.Â
Economic Impact Research (EIR) shows that Travel & Tourism in the UAE is set for another record year in 2025, forecasting AED 267.5BN contribution to the national economy, accounting for almost 13% of GDP. In 2025, UAE ranked No.2 globally for digital nomads, thanks to excellent connectivity, new visa programs, and supportive infrastructure.
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