Top five holiday hotspots for 2016
Want to know where to go on holiday in 2016? Our friends at Skyscanner have just revealed their top five destinations on the rise - and top of the list is a little-known region of Portugal.
Searches for the destinations below are all rising sharply in popularity and are likely to be THE hotspots for savvy travellers in 2016, says the travel search engine. You heard it here first..
Ponta Delgada, the Azores
With more airlines flying to the Azores, including Ryanair's new weekly flight from Stansted to Ponta Delgada, this autonomous region of Portugal is opening up as a viable budget travel destination and is therefore experiencing a tourism boom. Searches for holidays here have increased by 63%, says Skyscanner. With excellent hiking, whale watching, surfing and diving, the Azores is likely to feature heavily on adventure travellers' holiday bucket lists in 2016.
Havana, Cuba
After years in the cold, Cuba is back on the world stage as the USA restored diplomatic relations in July and continues to loosen restrictions on trade. If more restrictions are lifted, flights from the US and US hotel chains are likely to be opening in Cuba in 2016. Many people therefore booking flights to Cuba to experience the country before it changes beyond recognition - and before prices rise as a result. Having been shut off for so long, Cuba is trapped in a time warp, with crumbing colonial buildings and 1950s cars. In other words, it's like nowhere else on earth.
See more: Cuba: Tripadvisor's best hotels
3. Tokyo, Japan
Tourism has boomed under the current prime minister's administration. The national tourist board are actively targeting niche UK markets by focusing on ski, honeymoon and adventure tourism offerings. Thanks to the excellent value Japan Rail Passes and Airbnb type accommodation, Tokyo is now 50% cheaper for UK travellers than in 2013 according to the Post Office's Long Haul Report.
What's more, Japan will host the 2020 Olympics and the 2019 Rugby World Cup so attention will only increase throughout 2016. Hokkaido's first Shinkansen high speed train will also launch in 2016, opening up more of Japan to visitors.
See also: Travel guide to Tokyo
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
Recently voted the ninth most reputable city in the world, Copenhagen is a must-visit for culture vultures and foodies alike. Home to the five-month long Tivoli Festival (May – September 2016), classical music fans can expect a star-studded line up hosted at the stunning Tivoli Gardens.
February is also a great time to visit the capital, with the Copenhagen Cooking festival showcasing ever-increasingly popular Nordic cuisine, whilst fashionistas can immerse themselves in the city's Fashion Week, the largest of its kind in Northern Europe.
See more: Best things to see and do in Copenhagen
5. Sal, Cape Verde
With a reputation for unspoilt beaches and cobbled streets, the island of Sal in Cape Verde is only just emerging as a tourist destination. Thomson Airways is adding to its portfolio with a new route from Bristol in summer 2016. What's more, with chart-topping acts and reality stars frequenting these West Africa isles, Skyscanner predicts the destination's popularity will continue to rise. Sal is also a great base for exploring the rest of the archipelago, from the canyons, gorges and valleys of Santo Antao to the Sahara-like dunes of Boa Vista.
See more: Cape Verde for families: The perfect year-round destination
For more 2016 holiday ideas, see our slideshow below
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