Expedia Reveals 2026 ‘Island Hot List,’ With St. Lucia, Porto Santo and Cape Verde, Following Country’s Cinderella World Cup Run
St. Lucia, Porto Santo, Praslin and Syros are the among the top island escapes to travel to this year, according to Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List, an annual ranking of the most popular island destinations based on searches and bookings. Released July 21, this year’s Island Hot L
Expedia's 2026 Island Hot List is out, and it's giving us a glimpse into the trending island destinations that travelers are obsessing over. St. Lucia, Porto Santo, and Cape Verde are making waves, with the latter likely getting a boost from its Cinderella story World Cup run. This list is more than just a bunch of exotic locales - it's a reflection of how travel habits are shifting post-pandemic.
What's interesting here is that these islands are not your typical suspects. St. Lucia and Porto Santo, for instance, offer a mix of relaxation and adventure, from hiking the Pitons to exploring medieval towns. Meanwhile, Cape Verde's World Cup success is putting it on the map for sports tourism. This tells us that travelers are looking for unique experiences that combine culture, nature, and maybe even a dash of sports fandom.
So what to watch next? Keep an eye on how these destinations develop their tourism infrastructure to keep up with demand. Also, with Expedia's list highlighting lesser-known islands like Praslin and Syros, it's clear that travelers are hungry for off-the-beaten-path adventures. As the travel industry continues to evolve, we'll likely see more emphasis on sustainable tourism and experiential travel - and these island hotspots are just the beginning.
Originally reported by variety.com. SerbNews adds analysis for culture, style & media readers.