“National Geographic” magazine published its annual list of “World’s Best Travel Destinations in 2026”. A list that focuses on specific events. National Geographic annually collects the opinion of the global community from its experts, explorers and editors, and introduces a list of destinations that have the greatest potential to provide a unique experience in tourism in the coming year. (National Geographic)
In the 2026 National Geographic list, the focus is on areas that are of interest for important reasons such as hosting major sporting events (Winter Olympics in Italy and the World Cup in Vancouver), registering world heritage and implementing large environmental projects (such as the amber whale sanctuary in Dominica) or developing historical infrastructure (such as Khiva and Beijing).
Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomite region will be in the center of attention due to hosting the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February and March.
Photographer: Unknown / www.reneeroaming.com
The Dolomites are the heart of the event, which is part of the largest ski area in the world. Infrastructure and services, especially boutique hotels and luxury restaurants, have been renovated and upgraded ahead of this big event.
The Chinese capital is ready to welcome tourists in 2026 with updated facilities to explore its imperial history. The “central axis of Beijing”, including monuments such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Photographer: Unknown / www.grayline.com
In addition, parts of the Great Wall of China such as “Mutianyu” have been made available for night tours with spectacular illuminations. In order to facilitate travel, the Chinese government has extended visa-free stay for 47 countries and made it easier to use foreign credit cards on the subway.
Akagra National Park, Rwanda
“Akagera” is a unique option for safari enthusiasts; This park has about 50,000 visitors a year and is a quiet alternative to the crowded parks of Kenya or Tanzania.

Photographer: Unknown / www.safarisrwandasafari.com
The Akagra area has been completely restored. In the spring of 1404, 70 more white rhinos were successfully translocated into the park to strengthen Akagra’s position as a conservation hub, and new lodges were built to provide better access to the wildlife.
Vancouver, Canada
The city of Vancouver is known as one of the best host cities in North America due to hosting seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Photographer: Darwin Fan / Getty Images
The coastal city of Vancouver, devoting more than one-tenth of its area to parks and green spaces, provides the possibility of exploring nature, including whale watching and walking in “Stanley Park”. Tourists can also take advantage of indigenous tours to learn about the culture of the early nations of the region.
Dominica (an island in the Caribbean), as a pioneer in marine environmental protection, will establish the world’s first amber whale sanctuary in 2026 to protect its 200 resident whales. Tourists can watch or swim with these mammals under strict regulations.

Photographer: Unknown / jetsetjazzmine.com
Also, the country of Dominica is known for its pristine nature, including rainforests and hot springs, and access to key attractions such as the Boiling Lake has been made easier by the construction of one of the longest cable cars in the world.
Rabat, Morocco, has been noted for its selection by UNESCO as the “2026 World Book Capital” and its successful combination of ancient history and modern development.

Photographer: Sylvain Sonnet/Getty Images
In the city of Rabat, you can go from the 1200-year-old narrow streets of Oudaya to the wide boulevards of the colonial era. Landmark structures such as the Royal Theater by Zaha Hadid and the Mohammed VI Tower have modernized the face of the city, and luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons Hotel welcome guests in renovated palaces.
Khiva, Uzbekistan
The historical city of Khiva, located on the Silk Road, will emerge from the shadow of Samarkand and Bukhara in 2026 and become a major destination.

Photographer: Unknown / Shutterstock Photo
High-speed train service is planned to halve the travel time from Tashkent in autumn 2026. In addition to the meticulous restoration of the architecture at Itchan Kala (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the city’s first five-star international hotel, the Mercure Khiva, will open in October 2026, and festivals such as the International Lezgi Dance Festival have added to the city’s appeal.
Black Sea coast, Türkiye
Turkey‘s Black Sea coast has been touted as an adventurous, cultural and lesser-known alternative to the popular Aegean and Mediterranean beaches. This region is located between the Pontic Mountains and the Black Sea and includes cities such as Trabzon and Rize (the center of tea cultivation).

Photographer: unknown / guide.planetofhotels.com
Tourists can visit the Byzantine architecture of Sümela Monastery (4th century) or go skiing in the mountains. Ayder village is also the main starting point for ziplining and hiking to the peaks of Kaçkar National Park.
Yamagata, Japan
Yamagata prefecture, north of Tokyo, is an ideal destination to escape from the overtourism phenomenon in other parts of Japan.

Photographer: Unknown / yamagatakanko.com
This prefecture accounts for less than one percent of Japan’s visitors and has a peaceful and ethereal environment. Destinations such as Mount Zao are famous for the phenomenon of “snow giants”, the hot spring town of Ginzan Onsen, and the mountain temple of Yamadera. Tourists can join mountain monks to experience waterfall meditation and mindfulness walks.
Stinks of North Dakota, USA
The smelly North Dakota Badlands, where Theodore Roosevelt took refuge for a change of heart, will see the opening of the Roosevelt Presidential Library in the summer of 2026. This building was designed by a Norwegian company. Also, the Three Affiliated Tribes National Park is located nearby, where hiking and photography tours led by the natives of the region are held.

Photographer: Unknown / www.britannica.com
For you, which of these special tourist spots is attractive and would you like to travel to it? Share your comments with other audience of Kajaro and us.
Cover photo source: cnn.com Photographer: Unknown (Wall of China)
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