Recent insights from Expedia reveal a significant surge in travel interest for TikTok-trending destinations, with searches increasing by over 40% compared to the previous year. This trend highlights the growing influence of social media on travel planning, as vacationers turn to platforms like TikTok for inspiration. The rise in searches reflects a broader pattern, linking digital content to real-world travel choices.
The travel platform’s latest Air Hacks Report identifies five key locations experiencing notable growth in search volume: Cape Town, South Africa (50% increase); Tunis, Tunisia (65% increase); Antalya, Turkey (45% increase); Hanoi, Vietnam (40% increase); and Malaga, Spain (40% increase).
In response to this trend, Expedia has developed a TikTok-inspired travel guide designed to assist travelers in transforming “social media inspiration into actual trips,” as declared in the company’s announcement from Dubai.
This guide is packed with “insider tips and booking hacks” along with “exclusive recommendations” for each highlighted destination.
“Turn those wanderlust vibes into reality with Expedia’s new TikTok-inspired travel guide,” the company proclaimed in its statement.
Moreover, the report indicates that airfares have dropped by 11% year-on-year, with premium ticket prices down 2% compared to 2023, which Expedia describes as “an opportune time to ditch doomscrolling and start exploring.”
Exploring TikTok’s Hottest Travel Spots
Each destination listed provides unique experiences. Tunisia, for example, is known for its “affordability with convenience,” being under a six-hour flight from Dubai, and is more budget-friendly than nearby spots like Sicily and Greece.
Travelers can visit the “ancient ruins of Carthage, the historic Medina, and the pristine Gammarth beach.” The best times to journey there are during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), with accommodations at Dar El Jeld Hotel & Spa starting at AED576 per night.
Cape Town attracts “adrenaline enthusiasts” who can engage in activities like visiting Table Mountain, kayaking with penguins at Boulders Beach, and indulging in wine tasting in the Cape Winelands.
For ideal conditions, summer (December-February) offers warm weather, while spring and autumn provide fewer visitors. The Radisson RED V&A Waterfront is recommended, starting at AED446 per night.
Antalya, recognized as the Turkish Riviera or Turquoise Coast, boasts “some of the clearest, most breathtaking waters,” along with popular attractions such as “one of the largest aquarium complexes in Turkey” and the Düden Waterfalls.
Optimal times for sightseeing are spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October). The Rixos Downtown Antalya is suggested, with rates beginning at AED743 per night.
Hanoi has become “a gastronomic haven for young travelers,” where visitors enjoy “sipping an egg coffee on Train Street while feeling the thrill of a full-size train zooming just inches from their table.”
Other notable spots include Ngoc Son Temple, Water Puppet Theatre, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. The best seasons to visit are autumn (September-November) and spring (March-April), with the La Siesta Premium Hang Be Hotel recommended at AED247 per night.
Finally, Malaga fascinates social media users with its “Mediterranean scenery and vibrant nightlife.” Content creators often venture to Caminito del Rey, just an hour from the city, to “scale the cliffs of natural valleys.”
Key attractions include Málaga Cathedral, Alcazaba, and the beaches of La Malagueta and La Caleta. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) provide ideal visiting conditions, with rates at Palacio Solecio starting at AED997 per night.
As these TikTok-trending destinations continue to grow in popularity, Expedia encourages travelers to plan ahead to “beat the crowds – and the algorithm” while making the most of their adventure-filled journeys.