Where on Earth are you going? Next year, that is. Nowadays, every year in travel is bigger than the last, as you’ll see from our annual guide, brought to you by our expert team of peripatetic writers. It brings you the nearly 100 places that will matter for travellers in 2026.There’s certainly much happening, starting with Italy’s sure to be spectacular Winter Olympics, from February 6 to 22, along with the even bigger FIFA World Cup of football, which kicks off across former best friends the US, Canada and Mexico, on June 11.While such major events are becoming significant drivers of tourism these days, as Traveller contributor Ute Junker writes below, there are plenty of other nations vying for our attention – and our tourist dollars. These include North Africa’s re-emerging Tunisia and Central Asia’s enigmatic Tajikistan.Then there are the other more familiar, but still somewhat overlooked destinations, such as that lesser-visited Nordic nation Finland, and Taiwan, that greatly underrated and highly rewarding amalgam of the best of mainland China and Japan.Sure, it’s a big world out there, but sometimes it helps to narrow down the standout choices.Anthony Dennis, Editor, Travellerparagraphtitle: TaiwanCould Taiwan be the next Japan? Probably not quite, but increasing numbers of canny travellers are finding plenty to love about this compact island, from its mountainous hiking trails to the serene beauty of Sun Moon Lake. There is fantastic food, plenty of hot springs, black sand and white sand beaches, temple-hopping in Kaohsiung and island-hopping in the Penghu archipelago. Oh, and high-speed trains that make zipping about easy. See taiwan.netparagraphtitle: FinlandFew countries are as attuned to current travel trends as Finland. For anyone looking for a “cool-cation” that swaps out summer travel for milder weather or who is searching for a sustainable destination, Finland, which regularly tops the Global Sustainable Development Report rankings, ticks all the boxes. It is also perfect for nature-based holidays, with 70 per cent of the country covered in forest and another 10 per cent in lakes. Inviting cities such as Helsinki and Turku are an added bonus. See visitfinland.comparagraphtitle: IndiaAlmost 10 per cent of jobs in India are now linked to tourism, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. If that surprises you, you are probably overdue for a visit to the subcontinent’s most dynamic country. India’s tourism is now dizzyingly diverse, covering everything from the palaces of Hyderabad to the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora, from art deco architecture tours in Calcutta to walking in the foothills of the Himalayas. See incredibleindia.govparagraphtitle: El SalvadorThere’s much to dislike and yet like about Central America’s smallest nation. Under the iron fist of the pro-Trump President Nayib Bukele, Central America’s smallest country has gone, thanks to a draconian penal system, from being the world’s murder capital to an on-the-rise tourist destination. The biggest draws? Mayan ruins, active volcanoes, superb surfing and, in the western highlands, the pretty towns of the Ruta de las Floras. You decide. See elsalvador.travelparagraphtitle: ArmeniaThe rise of Middle Eastern airlines has put a whole swathe of under-the-radar destinations in easy reach, and top of the “who knew?” pile has to be Armenia, a three-hour flight from Dubai. From the lovely little capital, Yerevan, to the acclaimed Vayots Dzor wine region, a host of inspiring entrepreneurs are opening hotels, restaurants and wineries that showcase the country’s stunning scenery, indigenous grape varietals and rich culinary culture. See armenia.travelparagraphtitle: GhanaThe West African nation of Ghana has discovered tourism is big business, raking in $US5 billion from visitors last year, and the boom looks set to continue. One of Africa’s most politically stable countries – and the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence – Ghana has a thriving creative arts scene, historic sites dating back to the days of the slave trade, and an event-packed calendar that peaks in December with a whole heap of festivals, concerts and art fairs. See visitghana.comparagraphtitle: MaltaAfter a decade of change that transformed Europe’s smallest capital, Valletta, into a compelling destination, Malta’s reinvention shows no signs of slowing. From the striking new contemporary art museum, MICAS (Malta International Contemporary Arts Space), to a clutch of Michelin-starred restaurants, there is always something new to discover. Extend your itinerary beyond must-visits such as Valletta and Mdina: take a quick boat trip over to Birgu, or hop on the ferry to the island of Gozo, to discover another side of the country. See visitmalta.comparagraphtitle: JordanDue to conflict in the Middle East, visitor numbers to neighbouring Jordan have plummeted, with some hotels reporting occupancy rates as low as 10 per cent. The ancient city of Petra and the stark beauty of Wadi Rum have traditionally been the biggest draws in more tranquil times, but lately more desert destinations are offering community-based experiences, from Ajloun to Umm Qais. See visitjordan.comparagraphtitle: DominicaTalk about comebacks. Back in 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic), which has long marketed itself as the Caribbean’s “nature island”. The loss of its lush rainforest was particularly brutal, but Dominica is luring visitors back with a swathe of new initiatives, including a whale protection reserve launching next year, and a six-kilometre cable car to one of the world’s largest thermal springs. A new international airport, opening in 2027, will mean more airlines will fly there. See discoverdominica.comparagraphtitle: AngolaAngola is the latest African nation to put out the welcome mat for tourists, and its blend of mountains and deserts, forests and savannahs, has plenty to lure adventurous travellers. Explore the Namib Desert, marvel at the Kalandula Waterfalls – almost as high as the famous Victoria Falls – hike the Tundavala Gap or take the breathtaking mountain road through the Serra de Leba Pass. See angolatourism.comparagraphtitle: EcuadorMany visitors to Ecuador head straight to the Galapagos Islands, almost 1000 kilometres offshore, and miss exploring the many delights of the mainland nation to which the isles belong. The country has 40 national parks and reserves covering terrain as diverse as the Amazon rainforest and the Andean highlands. Ecuador’s volcanoes and hot springs will thrill adventurous tourists, while the capital, Quito, has one of South America’s loveliest old towns and a happening culinary scene, though do be aware of the nation’s prevailing crime and security issues. See ecuador.travelparagraphtitle: PolandEver-increasing costs may make travel in euro-zone countries a budget-busting proposition, but for Central European charm on a budget, Poland is a brilliant choice. Beyond well-known cities such as Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk, Poland is packed with smaller beauties including Wroclaw and Poznan, while the Tatras Mountains offer great outdoor activities. See poland.travelparagraphtitle: Papua New GuineaPicture this: an island nation blessed with coral reefs, jungles and tropical fjords, about the same distance from Australia as Fiji but receiving about one tenth of the visitors each year. Yes, this place exists, and its on our doorstep. Papua New Guinea may be struggling to make it as a mainstream destination, but as well as its drawcard tribal cultures and the gruelling Kokoda Track, its islands and beaches have plenty to appeal to travellers who enjoy going off the beaten track. See papuanewguinea.travelparagraphtitle: TunisiaWhy has this North African country seen such a jump in visitors? We can think of nine reasons beyond the improved security situation. Tunisia has nine UNESCO World Heritage listings, covering everything from the atmospheric medinas in towns such as Tunis and Sousse to its extraordinary ancient sites, such as the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem and the mighty city of Carthage. Throw in the desert dunes of the Sahara and the lovely island of Djerba, and it’s no wonder that the word is out. See discovertunisia.comparagraphtitle: ScotlandScotland’s largest city, Glasgow, which just marked its 850th anniversary, will host both the beleaguered Commonwealth Games (for the second time) and Glasgow International, the city’s biennial culture fest, in 2026. There are plenty of reasons to look further afield too, whether you like a hike – literature lovers should check out the new Tweed Valley Words Trail through the Scottish Borders – or a touch of luxury, with new openings including Ardbeg House, a boutique bolthole on the isle of Islay. See visitscotland.comparagraphtitle: CanadaVancouver and Toronto will be in the spotlight at next year’s FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the US, an event which will reinforce something so many Australians already know: Canada is, and remains, a terrific destination. The sheer size of the country means there is always something new to discover, from the rainforest to the Rockies, and from the French flair of Quebec to the charms of Nova Scotia. See travel.destinationcanada.comparagraphtitle: French PolynesiaIf you still think French Polynesia, the semi-autonomous territory of France, is just for high-spending honeymooners, think again. These exquisite islands, which include the famously luxurious Tahiti and Bora Bora, actually cater to a range of budgets and have many cultural offerings. Several new hotels – including two- and three-star properties – are opening next year, and the local cruise scene is booming, with new ships from Ponant, Aranui Cruises and Windstar Cruises launching in 2026. See tahititourisme.comparagraphtitle: TajikistanCentral Asian countries such as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are drawing more visitors but the smallest Stan, Tajikistan, is too often overlooked. With more than 90 per cent of the country covered in mountains, some studded with glacial lakes and high-altitude meadows, the scenery is stunning (and engineering nerds will thrill to some of the long-distance tunnels). Dushanbe, the capital, has pretty parks, a mix of ultra-modern and Russian-empire style buildings, great museums and a lively dining scene. See visittajikistan.tjparagraphtitle: BelgiumWe’re calling it. If you want to discover the many delights of Belgium, and you really should, this is the year to do it. Tourism is starting to spike in a country blessed with extraordinary cities – elegant Antwerp, gorgeous Ghent, lively Brussels and dreamy Brugge – all with easy train connections, not to mention some of the most mouthwatering food and drink around. Just remember to avoid the summer peak. See hellobelgium.comparagraphtitle: IndonesiaIndonesia (with a lot of help from Bali) may have knocked off New Zealand as Australia’s favourite holiday destination this year, but the real news is that more and more of us are starting to look beyond the obvious in our near neighbour. With more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia has no end of alluring destinations, from the mighty temples of Borobodur and Prambanan to Flores’ volcanoes and beaches and cultural highlights such as the intricate grave rituals of the people of Sulawesi’s Tana Toraja. See