In this article, we are going to discuss the 30 most magical places in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global tourism industry, the recent revival of the tourism industry, role of the entertainment industry in reviving the T&T sector, the largest travel company in the world, and the need for sustainable tourism, and go directly to 10 Most Magical Places in the World.
People have always had a need to travel, be it to discover and explore new lands, seek spiritual enlightenment, or merely for personal enjoyment. Although the first tourism agencies appeared in the 19th century, with Thomas Cook & Son being one of the industry pioneers, the sector witnessed rapid evolution with the dawn of the 1900’s, thanks to the mass production of buses and cars. Also, improvements in air transport, as well as progress in labor legislation and a growth in social welfare led to a boom in tourism globally.
The Global Tourism Industry:
Tourism has evolved into a massive industry with time, encompassing several other industries, such as hospitality, transport, entertainment etc. In 1950, at the dawn of the jet age, just 25 million people took foreign trips. By 2019, that number had reached 1.5 billion. As we mentioned in our article – World Tourism Ranking by Country: Top 20 Countries – the global Travel & Tourism (T&T) industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% between 2021 and 2026, to be worth an estimated $8.9 trillion by the end of the forecast period.
Revival of the Tourism Industry:
The T&T industry was among the hardest hit by the pandemic, as people could no longer move around and the world came to an abrupt halt. Estimates from the United Nations World Tourism Organization show that international travel shrank by 72% in 2020, leading to 1.1 billion fewer trips taken and setting the industry back massively.
However, 2022 witnessed a reversal in this trend as international borders began opening up, coupled with the disposable income people saved up during the lockdown and their increasing longing to travel around. According to the WTO, more than 900 million tourists traveled internationally in 2022 – double the number recorded in 2021.
The World Tourism and Travel Council has reported that the T&T sector contributed 7.6% to the global GDP in 2022, an increase of 22% from 2021 and only 23% below 2019 levels.
Role of the Entertainment Industry in Reviving the T&T Sector:
The entertainment industry is another sector having a significant impact on the revival of the travel and hospitality industries. The American government agencies have officially credited the ongoing Eras Tour by the uber-popular American singer Taylor Swift with boosting the American economy. According to the Philadelphia Federal Reserve, hotel bookings have risen dramatically, showing the strongest growth since the beginning of the pandemic, thanks to Swift’s show dates.
Earlier this month, Cincinnati officials also credited Swift and Eras tour with helping downtown hotels gross more than $2.6 million, and surrounding Hamilton County hotels gross more than $5.3 million in revenue.
Largest Travel Company in the World:
With a market cap of about $105.9 billion, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) holds the title of being the largest travel company in the world. Operating in over 220 countries and 40 different languages, there are more than 28 million global listings available between hotels, homes and apartments under the Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) travel sites.
The company also strongly felt the shocks of the pandemic when its revenue fell by almost 55%, from $15.06 billion in 2019, to $6.8 billion in 2020. However, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) boasted a revenue of $17.09 billion in 2022 after the revival of international tourism, even higher than its pre-pandemic levels, and stocks of the company have sailed 34% higher during the first half of the current year. Booking.com has also recently started conversational trip planning with ChatGPT.
Need for Sustainable Tourism:
Although the tourism industry comes as a boon for many and supports millions of businesses and jobs worldwide, it often doesn’t come without a price. An example of this is the listing and rental of local homes on the online platform of Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB). In many cities in Europe, the increasing listing of local homes for short-term rental on Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) has created a shortage of available residences for the cities’ locals, leading to insufficient housing and a massive increase in rents.
In downtown Barcelona, some residents have even complained of their rents straight up getting doubled after the easing down of travel restrictions. In June, the city of Florence announced an outright immediate ban on new short-term private location rentals in the Renaissance city’s historic center, part of an effort to draw full-time residents back to one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the Most Magical Places on Earth.
muratart/Shutterstock.com
Methodology:
Our world has been blessed with a myriad of enchanting and wonderful places and it is tough to rank one above the other. But to collect data for this article, we referred to a number of sources, such as Harper’s Bazaar, Skyscanner, Earth Trekkers etc., looking for the Most Magical Locations on Earth. In the end, we picked places that appeared at least twice in these sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. We have only included places with a high volume of tourists and hotels, or places not far from towns and cities, perfect for a day trip! When two places had the same score, we used the volume of foreign tourists that respective country received in 2022 as a tie-breaker.
30. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to travel to in the south Pacific, Bora Bora is French Polyneisa’s crown jewel. Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) has a presence in Bora Bora through its St. Regis and Le Méridien resorts.
29. The Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Situated near the capital Reykjavik, this thermal bath is not to be missed on your next trip to Iceland. However, we recommend booking in advance as the Blue Lagoon can get very crowded during peak seasons.
28. Great Ocean Road, Australia
Insider Monkey Score: 2
This panoramic coastal drive in the state of Victoria has everything from the popular Twelve Apostles rock formations, to koalas in Great Otway National Park, as well as the charming seaside town of Lorne – everything at only a 2-hour drive away from Melbourne. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) offers several of its hotels in the Victorian capital.
27. The Forbidden City, China
Insider Monkey Score: 2
As the only living and best example of an imperial architectural complex in China, the Forbidden City in Beijing is a prime example of ancient Chinese craftsmanship and culture. China, with its awe-inspiring landscapes, unique architectural heritage and rich culture, is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
26. MUSA Underwater Museum, Mexico
Insider Monkey Score: 2
The largest underwater museum in the world, MUSA is in the waters surrounding Cancun and Isla Mujeres and has over 500 life-size sculptures used to promote coral life. The 5-hour diving tours from Cancun cost between $90 and $150 per person.
25. Tuscany, Italy
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Truly one of the Most Magical Places on Earth, Tuscany has everything from delicious food, wonderful architecture, and amazing landscapes. The city of Florence is one of the Best Destinations in the World for Cultural Tourism. With its incredible museums and gardens, the Tuscan capital is a renaissance treasure and offers a number of hotels and also plenty of options by Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB). If you have a taste for great red wines, Tuscany is one of the most perfect places in the world for you.
24. Disneyland, Anaheim, U.S.A
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Opened in 1955, it was the first theme park by The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and the only theme park designed and constructed under the supervision of Walt Disney himself. Disneyland offers a magical experience to everyone, kids and adults alike. The Disneyland parks by The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) made around $28 billion in revenue in 2022.
23. Mont Saint-Michel, France
Insider Monkey Score: 2
A magical island topped by a gravity-defying abbey, the Mont Saint-Michel and its Bay count among France’s most stunning sights. One kilometer off France’s north-western coast, Mont Saint-Michel is easily among the most beautiful places in the world.
22. Petra, Jordan
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Only a 3-hour drive away from the capital city of Amman, Petra is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture.
21. Cape Town, South Africa
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Home to iconic mountain ranges, stunning natural wonders, thrilling landscapes and ocean vistas, Cape Town is known as the adventure capital of South Africa. You can find a number of quality hotels by Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) in the coastal city.
20. Cappadocia, Turkey
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Besides the sunrise hot air balloons, Cappadocia is known for its surreal desert landscapes that are dotted with otherworldly fairy chimneys and mysterious ancient underground cities. Cappadocia is among the top most beautiful places in the world in our list.
19. The Blue Grotto, Italy
Insider Monkey Score: 3
One of the most beautiful natural places in the world, this remarkable sea cave on the island of Capri is famous for its spectacular illumination, as sunlight seeps in through the Blue Grotto’s entrances and bathes the caves in an ethereal bluish hue.
18. Burano, Italy
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Famous for its laces and colored houses, Burano is truly one of the Most Magical Places on the Planet. Visitors can take a boat from the city of Venice and visit the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello on the same day. The Hilton Molino Stucky, by Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT), is a former flower mill restored into a luxurious hotel.
17. New York City, U.S.A
Insider Monkey Score: 3
It’s no wonder that the Big Apple has been a center of attention of tourists from all over the world for ages. New York has something for everyone and the city is home to some of the Best Hotels in the U.S., as well as some great rentals by Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB).
16. Havana, Cuba
Insider Monkey Score: 4
The traditional Spanish architecture, classic American cars and tropical climate all contribute to the charm of this city, which is sometimes referred to as the Rome of the Caribbean.
15. Taj Mahal, India
Insider Monkey Score: 4
This glorious ivory-white marble mausoleum in the city of Agra receives millions of tourists every year. Standing majestically on the banks of the river Yamuna, ‘The Crown Palace’ is one of the Magical Wonders of the World. The tourism industry in India has shown promising signs of revival since the pandemic and the country’s foreign exchange earnings through tourists were reported to be around $16.4 billion in 2022.
14. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Insider Monkey Score: 4
This south Bohemian city is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe and one that has never experienced a major fire, battle or any town-destroying disasters. Most of what you see in Český Krumlov is centuries old and well-preserved and restored, which makes for an incredible visit.
13. Chefchaouen, Morocco
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Only a 2-hour drive away from the city of Tangier, Chefchaouen is known as ‘The Blue Pearl of Morocco’, because of its fantastic blue houses and streets. Overlooking the ocean within 60 acres of protected forest, the Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort is a luxurious seaside hotel, by Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT).
12. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Dubrovnik is one of the top magical places in the world. Also famous for its appearance as ‘King’s Landing’ in the hit HBO show Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as ‘The Pearl of the Adriatic’. Its ancient walls encircle a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, red-roofed buildings, and hidden courtyards.
11. Bavaria, Germany
Insider Monkey Score: 4
The south-eastern German state of Bavaria is known for its romantic scenery, pristine countryside, wealth of culture, clean air, and the infamous laid-back Bavarian attitude. The city of Munich has a number of great hotels by Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) and others. Germany is also home to some of the Most Imported Beer Brands in the World.
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Disclaimer: None. 30 Most Magical Places in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.