This year finally felt like a return to pre-pandemic travel norms. Countries that suffered as a result of tourist drops began seeing increased footfall once more, and travellers took those bucket-list trips that they spent their lockdowns planning. But as the year comes to a close, we’re looking ahead to 2024 and the travels the new year will bring. As well as creating our own lists – see the Condé Nast Traveller roundup of the best places to go in 2024, carefully curated by our editors from around the globe – we’re also taking inspiration from our readers.
Every year, Google publishes its ‘Year in Search’ data, a report showing what users have Googled over the past 12 months. We’ve got an exclusive look at the travel section of the data – the destinations you’ve been Googling the most this year. The data has been contextualised to take into account current events (for example, Tel Aviv was trending as a travel destination before the war broke out.) Below, take a look at the top 10 cities and countries that have seen the biggest search increases on Google year on year, and find inspiration for your 2024 travels.
The most Googled countries of 2023
Atlas mountains, MoroccoFrancesco Riccardo Iacomino
10. Morocco
In September of this year, an earthquake hit Morocco, the aftermath of which was devastating. The country is still recovering, but the response from travellers was strong. It’s not often the case that travel is the answer in response to a crisis, but as tourism is Morocco’s biggest revenue stream, in this case, it was necessary. Travellers were encouraged to continue visiting the country to explore all it has to offer – and it has plenty. A jewel box of colours, sights and sounds in its cities, and a vast expanse of history and culture beyond – we’re not surprised the support for this gem of a country is in the top 10 this year.
