Guess which destination people find as the best alternative to visiting Europe? UAE Tops the charts…

 A new study by Heepsy analyzed destinations outside Europe to find the best alternatives to overcrowded tourist hotspots. European destinations are experiencing huge overtourism, with cities like Barcelona, Venice, and Amsterdam implementing visitor caps and facing resident protests against mass tourism.

"The data clearly shows travellers have excellent alternatives to Europe's overtourism crisis," says Tabi Vicuña, Founder of Heepsy. "Many travellers don't realize how well-prepared these destinations are for tourism, from high safety levels and extensive hotel networks to thousands of activities. The temperature data also shows these places offer year-round comfort. What really validates these findings is the social media activity - millions of posts suggest users are having experiences worth sharing with the world."

The UAE has a distinct culture of its own, yet it is also a melting pot of other cultures and people from across the globe. Museums, historical and religious sites, festivals, etc. are a repository of the rich heritage of the emirates.

New UAE visa rules to promote tourism

UAE’s infrastructure, economy, global connectivity, and advanced facilities are just a few of its manifold benefits that draw people from all over the world. As a result, there are many types of visas to choose from. The multiple entry 5-year tourist visa enables tourists to enter the UAE multiple times on self-sponsorship and remain in the country for 90 days on each visit, and can be extended for further 90 days. This type of tourist visa can be issued for all nationalities.

UAE has also a part of the GCC Grand Tours Visa, also known as the GCC Unified Visa, this new visa initiative gives non-nationals the option to visit one or all six Gulf nations using one visa.

Domestic visitor spend is also projected to reach a record high at AED 60BN - 47% above 2019, highlighting the continued strength of the local travel market.

Dubai remains the ever-popular Emirate

Dubai attracted 8.68 million international tourists during the first five months of 2025, marking a 7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, which recorded 8.12 million visitors.

According to the Tourism Performance Report January – May 2025, released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the city welcomed 1.53 million international visitors in May alone. This growth builds on the 18.72 million people who visited in 2024, the second consecutive year of record-setting growth for the city.

Here's a look at the top 10 alternative destinations outside Europe:

Each location received a score from 0-100, with any destination scoring below 60 on safety automatically penalized to ensure traveler security.

The United Arab Emirates ranks as the best non-European destination for travelers. The Emirates delivers exceptional security levels and maintains a massive accommodation infrastructure with 19,700 hotels. The 33°C climate provides year-round comfort while the destination features 8,851 attractions ranging from Dubai's skyscrapers to Abu Dhabi's cultural sites. Travelers clearly love sharing their UAE experiences, generating 18.2 million Instagram hashtags that highlight everything from luxury shopping to desert adventures.

 Data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that international visitor spend in the United Arab Emirates is set to reach a record AED 228.5BN in 2025, 37% above the previous peak of 2019. The global tourism body’s annual Economic Impact Research (EIR) shows that Travel & Tourism in the UAE is set for another record year in 2025, with the sector forecast to contribute AED 267.5BN to the national economy, accounting for almost 13% of GDP.

Qatar secures second place, maintaining high safety levels that match the UAE standards. The country offers almost 700 different activities, from world-class museums to desert adventures in 37°C temperature, quite tolerable given the desert environment. Qatar has one of the highest social media footprints with 35.9 million Instagram posts, suggesting exceptional visitor satisfaction.

Taiwan takes the third position among the top alternatives to Europe. The island nation demonstrates excellent safety standards and operates 9,900 accommodation options across its diverse regions. Most remarkably, Taiwan generates 38.4 million Instagram posts - the absolute peak among all destinations - suggesting visitors find experiences like night markets, hot springs, and mountain temples highly shareable. The 29°C weather also creates perfect conditions for exploring over 500 activities that the island offers.

Macao comes in fourth place. This Special Administrative Region has strong security levels and offers 67 carefully curated experiences across its small territory, focusing on casino entertainment, Portuguese heritage, and culinary fusion. With 88 lodging facilities and 1.4 million social media mentions, Macao's 27°C temperatures create perfect conditions for concentrated luxury experiences.

Oman captures fifth place as the third representative from the Arabian Peninsula. The Sultanate shows solid safety levels. Oman registers 1,400 hotels and 1,314 diverse attractions, including desert expeditions, mountain adventures, and coastal experiences. Oman's 19.8 million Instagram shares reflect growing international recognition as travelers discover this alternative, all while enjoying consistent 30°C weather.

Hong Kong ranks sixth, combining urban aesthetics with Asian authenticity in a compact package. The city offers 628 accommodation choices alongside 489 unique experiences from dim sum tours to Victoria Peak viewpoints. With 29°C weather, Hong Kong easily competes with European destinations while maintaining solid safety standards. The city’s 785,000 Instagram posts also showcase its appeal as a concentrated urban adventure.

Japan takes seventh place. The country sustains high safety standards and has the largest accommodation network at 50,500 hotels - more than double China's capacity. With 8,657 activities spanning temple visits, cherry blossoms, and technological marvels, Japan enjoys 26°C weather year-round. The country also features in 3.8 million Instagram posts, indicating steady international interest.

China ranks eighth among European alternatives. The nation has 17,500 hospitality establishments and the highest attraction count at 10,000 activities, including the Great Wall, modern cities, and natural wonders. With high safety metrics and pleasant 25°C temperatures - the coolest among top destinations - China appears in 1.7 million social media hashtags. This represents a notable figure considering the country's preference for local apps, suggesting highly memorable experiences worth sharing internationally.

Singapore claims ninth place, maintaining excellent safety standards and providing 544 lodging options. The city-state offers up to 900 experiences from Gardens by the Bay to street food markets, all concentrated in one accessible location. Singapore's 26°C climate matches Japan's comfort levels, while its 2.3 million Instagram mentions demonstrate consistent visitor satisfaction.

Bahrain completes the top ten as yet another Gulf destination. The island kingdom operates 297 accommodation facilities and averages 33°C. Bahrain offers more than 100 activities focused on pearl diving heritage, modern art, and Formula 1 racing. Most remarkably, Bahrain generates 32.1 million Instagram hashtags, suggesting that the country boasts numerous shareable attractions despite its compact size.