Travel momentum is a funny thing. It usually builds slowly — through new flight routes, infrastructure upgrades, design-forward hotels, creative revival, or simply a collective shift in curiosity. When that happens, places that once felt peripheral suddenly become… essential.
Spanning five continents, these cities are neither under-the-radar secrets nor overexposed capitals straining under excessive tourism. They are destinations on the rise: evolving, recalibrated, and increasingly in line with today’s top travel trends. Above all, they’re places that are especially compelling to visit right now.
Here’s an informed look at each destination, including where the energy is building and why discovery-driven couples, well-traveled families, and frequent solo explorers may want to add them to their bucket lists.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Rabat, Morocco
While Marrakech has long dominated headlines, Rabat has remained somewhat under the radar for many international travelers. Now, Morocco’s capital is finally having a moment thanks to its beguiling blend of historic architecture, contemporary culture, and laid-back pace of life.
More specifically, significant urban enhancements and museum investments are reshaping Rabat’s international profile. Visitors can now check out the stunning 12th-century Casbah des Oudaias, which has undergone extensive restorations in recent years. The Grand Theatre of Rabat, an architectural masterpiece designed by Zaha Hadid, is poised to become one of the continent’s premier cultural institutions. The city feels composed rather than crowded and is a compelling alternative for travelers seeking North Africa’s architectural depth without the intensity of more saturated hubs.
Best of all, Rabat is now home to destination-worthy hotels, including The Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Dar Es Salam, an art deco gem ensconced in 440 acres of exquisitely manicured grounds.
Jieyang, China
Located in Guangdong Province, Jieyang represents a broader shift in China tourism toward secondary cities benefiting from high-speed rail connectivity and regional economic growth. Known historically for its Chaoshan culture and traditional craftsmanship, the city has become increasingly accessible to international visitors looking beyond both Beijing and Shanghai.
Today, the so-called “Jade Capital of China” beckons travelers with striking historic sites, such as Jieyang Confucius Temple and Shuangfeng Temple. Infrastructure improvements and expanded hospitality options are opening a new and evolving window into this compelling city, which feels contemporary yet regionally rooted.
Located right in the heart of the city overlooking the curves of the Rongjiang River and the glittering skyline, Jieyang Marriott Hotel is an ideal base from which to explore.
Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade has long held underground appeal, but recently it’s reached a tipping point. That’s because Serbia’s capital is refining its riverfront through the multibillion-euro Belgrade Waterfront project, as well as investing in public spaces throughout the city and cultivating a design and dining scene that resonates with Europe’s creative class.
New development projects and improved connectivity are positioning Belgrade as a hot spot at the crossroads of Central Europe and the Balkans. For travelers seeking a European capital with a distinct edge (without Western Europe’s density), Belgrade stands out.
Stay near the banks of the Danube at Courtyard by Marriott Belgrade City Center. Here, travelers will find spacious rooms and suites within easy reach of Kalemegdan Park, Belgrade Fortress, the National Museum, and other attractions.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Few destinations illustrate transformation more dramatically than Riyadh. As Saudi Arabia accelerates cultural and economic diversification, the capital is rapidly expanding its arts programming, dining landscape, and hospitality portfolio. In 2026, the Museum of World Cultures, which is often nicknamed the “Saudi Louvre,” is set to open its doors.
Relaxed travel policies and significant investment in tourism infrastructure aim to attract international visitors to the Saudi capital. Riyadh feels new because much of it is. Base yourself at the sleek Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter, which is located within the business district.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Situated at the intersection of Europe and Asia, Tbilisi has quietly become one of the Caucasus region’s most compelling capitals. Restored architecture, a natural wine revival, and a confident design aesthetic are drawing global creatives and discerning travelers alike. It doesn’t hurt that Georgian food, with its richly flavorful dips, grilled meats, and cheese breads, has been very much in the global spotlight in recent years.
Thanks to both boutique hospitality growth and increased air access, Tbilisi has seen its international profile quickly rise. Despite this, it’s retained a textured character that feels refreshingly unpolished.
Stay at the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel, which oozes Old World charm from its landmark facade. Originally opened in 1915, the hotel has been one of the grandest stays in the city for more than a century.
Batangas, Philippines
Although it’s located a two-hour drive south from Manila, Batangas feels worlds away from the densely populated urban sprawl. Once overlooked by most travelers, this area is gaining renewed attention for its dramatic landscapes — namely volcanic terrain, coastal enclaves, and agricultural estates — not to mention a growing focus on wellness travel.
Batangas has always been beautiful, but it hasn’t always been convenient for visitors. Now, with improved domestic flights and thoughtful boutique resorts, it’s becoming one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling destinations.
The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection is pure eco-luxury and more than enough reason to head to the area. Come for the holistic treatments at the superlative spa; stay for the nourishing, garden-based cuisine.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Still referred to by many locals as Saigon, Vietnam’s commercial capital has long been in constant motion. Although it retains much of its historic French architecture and charm, these days, this fast-paced boomtown also has its fair share of glitzy high-rises. And while the street food stalls and shophouse restaurants continue to turn out phenomenal food, there are also fine dining eateries, artisanal cafés, and craft beer bars.
Ho Chi Minh’s infrastructure upgrades, including expanded metro lines, have signaled long-term transformation and traveler appeal. It’s the latest example of a fast-growing Asian metropolis that blends a powerful history with future-facing ambition.
Stay above the skyline at Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection, which is housed in the tallest building in Vietnam. The location in Bình Thạnh at the edge of buzzy District 1 simply couldn’t be better.
Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
On the Dominican Republic’s Samaná Peninsula, Las Terrenas represents a subtle evolution within Caribbean travel. Boutique development and infrastructure improvements have expanded access while preserving the region’s relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Why now? Because this Caribbean destination remains unscathed by overtourism and retains its easy, laid-back charm. Las Terrenas offers both scale and scenery without excess crowds, quietly becoming a trending destination in the region.
Stay oceanfront at Donoma Las Terrenas Beach Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection.
Guatapé, Colombia
Long associated with day trips from Medellín, Guatapé is stepping into the spotlight as a destination in its own right The town’s vivid architecture and proximity to the impressive Piedra del Peñol rock formation are now complemented by improved hospitality and transportation options.
The whole town sits on the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, a vast, human-made, turquoise lake, and much of the architecture is decorated with colorful murals. As the area continues to welcome more international arrivals, promising destinations such as Guatapé have increasingly benefited from reinvention, confidence, and ongoing investment.
Relax lakeside at The Brown, Guatapé, Autograph Collection.
Halifax, Canada
In Novia Scotia, on Canada’s Atlantic edge, Halifax is evolving from maritime gateway to cultural capital. The waterfront has been thoughtfully revitalized, independent restaurants are reshaping the city’s culinary narrative, and an influx of creative talent is energizing the urban core.
As travelers look beyond Canada’s marquee cities in favor of places with a smaller scale, outdoor access, and a distinctive identity, Nova Scotia’s capital delivers on all three. Its compact downtown, proximity to rugged coastline, and steady hospitality growth position it firmly among the ranks of emerging destinations in North America.
Position yourself downtown at Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, which features a lovely view overlooking the water, plus state-of-the-art amenities, including a golf simulator.
Bentonville, Arkansas
Few American cities have experienced as rapid a cultural ascent as Bentonville, Arkansas. Once defined by its corporate roots as the headquarters of one of the largest retailers in the United States, the city has transformed into a design-driven hub anchored by world-class art institutions, ambitious culinary ventures, and an expanding network of cycling trails that now draw international riders.
Sustained investment in architecture, outdoor infrastructure, and contemporary art has recalibrated Bentonville’s identity. The result is a place that feels both grounded and forward-thinking, a microcosm of how smaller U.S. cities are capturing renewed attention amid shifting domestic travel patterns.
Get close to the momentum at AC Hotel by Marriott Bentonville, which features spacious rooms, top-notch fitness facilities, and one of the best rooftop bars in town.
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