As global travel booms, it can be tricky to find a quiet corner of the world.
But savvy holiday-makers still discover interesting spots along the road less travelled – including a little-known Japanese island called Ishigaki, which is now deemed the coolest place to be – and be seen – this year, according to TripAdvisor.
The Japanese island tops this year’s TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for ‘Destinations on the Rise’, based on positive traveller feedback and increased booking interest.
. ISHIGAKI, JAPAN
Top of the spots: The little-known Japanese island of Ishigaki has become the top-trending place to holiday in 2018, according to TripAdvisor
Stunning: White sands and tropical blue waters on Kabira Bay, Ishigaki, are where savvy travellers are heading
Relax and revive: The island also boasts mountains and mangrove forests, which adds extra dimension for tourists
Far-flung getaway: The island of Ishigaki is actually close to Taiwan than it is to Japan, as this illustration shows
Ishigaki, an island in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, tops the list.
Home to a varied landscape including sandy beaches, rare coral, mountains and mangrove forests, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular spot.