UK’s capital London and Newguay, a seaside town in Cornwall, were included in the top 20 European travel destinations of the year.
European Best Destinations has recently announced its annual ranking of the “Best European Destinations 2024.” They were chosen from over 500 destinations.
London took the number 9 spot in the rankings, while Newquay held its own in nineteenth place.
Since 2009, European Best Destinations has been highlighting the best of Europe to millions of travelers, tourism professionals, and travel media.
The website names the destinations as best for city breaks, nature gateways, cultural holidays, and food adventures.
It also identifies which destinations offer the best experiences for couples, with family, or solo trips.
The ranking is based on votes from over one million travelers from 172 countries.
London awarded “best offbeat city break”
According to travelers’ votes, London offers the “best offbeat city break” in all of Europe.
The city boasts a variety of neighborhoods for different experiences that cater to the diverse interests of tourists.
Some great places to visit in London include Carnaby for shopping, Portobello for the flea market, and Notting Hill for a romantic stroll.
The West End Theatre District, known for its legendary musicals, and the vibrant events in Soho and Chinatown are among the city’s top attractions.
London is also home to iconic landmarks like Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, London Eye, Tower Bridge, The Shard, Kew Gardens, and amazing parks like Greenwich and Hyde Park.
It was recently also identified as the most preferred European destination by Americans in 2023.
Data from the British tourism agency VisitBritain confirmed that the US led the recovery of UK tourism last year.
Newquay earns “best family holiday destination in England”
Best European Destinations described Newquay as “one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in the UK.”
The seaside town on the north coast of Cornwall is England’s surfing capital and is perfect for a romantic getaway.
Newquay establishments offer lessons and rental surfboards for those drawn to the waves.
It is also a place for quiet retreats in many spas, as well as relaxing in cozy lodges with a hot tub and log burner.
The place is also perfect for warm conversations around a shared meal or an impromptu concert.
Newquay also offers golf, biking, go-karting, and more, ensuring there’s something for every family member to enjoy.
A must-visit for families is the Trenance Valley. It offers parks with slides, a zoo, a miniature railway, a swimming pool, and a trampoline park.
UK’s new ETA system to boost tourism
The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is expected to increase visitor numbers and spending in the country.
Currently, only travelers from the Gulf Cooperation Council member states and Jordan benefit from using the UK ETA.
The ETA replaces the much higher UK visitor visa fee for Jordan citizens and the electronic visa waiver (EVW) fee for Gulf bloc travelers.
Additionally, travelers only need to apply for an ETA every two years, not every time they plan a UK trip.
The application process is also quick and easy, as it is entirely online, and applicants receive their ETA within three days.
The ETA is a new digital travel permit that will be required for all travelers who do not need a visa to visit the UK by 2024.
Other top European destinations in 2024
According to the report, Marabella in Spain, Monaco, and Malta stand out as the top three European destinations for the year.
Fourth and fifth on the list are Geneva in Switzerland and Batumi in the Adjara Region in Georgia.
Other European destinations in the top ten are Liga in Latvia, Madeira in Portugal, Florence in Italy, and Reykjavik in Iceland.
Other best European destinations for 2024 are primarily located in France and Italy.
In France, these include Lège-Cap-Ferret in Nouvelle Aquitaine, Porto-Vecchio in Corsica, and the Champagne Wine Region.
The European hot spots for Italy are Siena, Ponza Islan, and Sirmione in Lombardy.
The Faroe Islands in Denmark, Piran in Slovenia, and Thassos in the North Aegean Sea in Greece complete the top 20 list.
High hopes for Europe, UK tourism in 2024
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) revealed that Europe was the most visited region in 2023.
UNWTO data also showed that European international tourism reached 94 percent of 2019 levels.
Global tourism is predicted to surpass pre-pandemic numbers by about two percent in 2024. Europe, in particular, is expected to play a significant role in boosting international tourism again this year.
VisitBritain aims to position the UK as one of the top European destinations in 2024.
It aims to distribute tourism’s economic benefits across the UK by encouraging visitors to explore more and stay longer.
The UK’s campaign will highlight its vibrant cities, contemporary culture, picturesque coastlines, and countryside.
VisitBritain also takes advantage of screen tourism across the UK by showcasing famous film and TV locations to attract more tourists.