Expedia Ranks Tulum As The Top Fall 2024 Destination Worldwide

The launching of Tulum’s new international airport (TQO) on Dec. 1, 2023, promised to be a game-changer for the region, and it has now been confirmed: Expedia—one of the world’s leading travel platforms—has named this town the number one destination for fall travel worldwide.

Internationally renowned for its unique cenotes—natural sinkholes perfect for swimming and diving in freshwater— lush jungles, Mayan ruins and vibrant beach life, this Mexican resort has defeated popular destinations like Mallorca, Spain, and Tokyo, Japan, which came in second and third place, respectively.

This decision was not made out of the blue; the travel platform has registered a 70 percent jump in flight searches for the destination, making it the most sought-after hotspot by this metric in 2024, according to data revealed on its annual Fall Travel Outlook, which analyzes travel trends for this quarter.

Jorge Molina Pérez, Director General of Municipal Tourism and Economy, expressed satisfaction with the news and announced that Tulum will provide all conditions for travelers to enjoy a memorable trip surrounded by nature.

“We competed against European, Caribbean and Asian destinations, and this is the very first time Tulum has reached such a milestone. This ranking reflects travelers’ preference for Tulum, Mexico.”

The official also encouraged the hospitality sector to offer promotions with special prices to capitalize on the “push” that Expedia has given them with this designation while securing jobs for local employees during the low season.

The tourism industry “has to make the most of this push. The tourist, commercial and hotel sectors should start launching internal campaigns and discounts to mitigate the effects of the low season while maintaining stable numbers and avoiding closures,” Molina recommended.

This is of course an unbeatable opportunity for Americans who missed summer holidays in the Caribbean to enjoy a less crowded and budget-friendly vacation.

Another perk is that several major US cities and nearly all flight carriers now offer direct flights to Tulum, including non-stop flights from Chicago, New York, and Atlanta, and starting in January, also from Detroit.

Why is there so much hype about Tulum?

Tulum has gone from being the secret getaway for hippies and tree-huggers to becoming a hotspot attracting visitors from all corners of the globe with its eco-friendly luxury hotels, vibrant atmosphere, palatable cuisine, freshwater cenotes and fascinating Mayan culture.

Unlike other Mexican destinations like Mexico City and even Cancun, Tulum offers a more intimate connection with nature.

In addition, its brand-new Tren Maya, which is already partially opened, makes this paradise even more accessible by connecting it to different sides of the Yucatán Peninsula, including its brand-new world-class Jaguar Park, which is scheduled to open to the public next week.