Most Googled destinations in 2013

Frances Cha, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 3:00 AM EST, Thu December 19, 2013
Google's annual year-in-review Zeitgeist charts reveals the most-searched destinations by country. Rome was the number one trending destination from the United Kingdom this year. Google's "trending" search terms are those that showed the biggest growth in searches, compared to last year. New York and Amsterdam were second and third on the list.
Most searched destinations of 2013 —
Google's annual year-in-review Zeitgeist charts reveals the most-searched destinations by country. Rome was the number one trending destination from the United Kingdom this year. Google's "trending" search terms are those that showed the biggest growth in searches, compared to last year. New York and Amsterdam were second and third on the list.
andreas solaro/afp/getty images
Mexico was the top trending term for U.S. destination wedding locations.
Mexico —
Mexico was the top trending term for U.S. destination wedding locations.
Courtesy Chrisman Studios
The Magic Kingdom (Disneyland) retains its most popular title in a few countries. It was the top destination for Australians, despite the fact that the closest one is in Hong Kong. It was also the number one most searched domestic travel destination within Japan.
Disneyland —
The Magic Kingdom (Disneyland) retains its most popular title in a few countries. It was the top destination for Australians, despite the fact that the closest one is in Hong Kong. It was also the number one most searched domestic travel destination within Japan.
yoshikazu tsuno/afp/getty images
London was the most searched destination in the United Arab Emirates and was also popular with Australia and New Zealand.
London —
London was the most searched destination in the United Arab Emirates and was also popular with Australia and New Zealand.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
The world leader in gambling revenue was the most searched destination within India.
Macau —
The world leader in gambling revenue was the most searched destination within India.
AFP PHOTO/MIKE CLARKE
While Google only has 2.3% market share in China, Google's study also looked at top searches in what will soon become the world's largest domestic travel market. Hangzhou and Suzhou were declared the destinations of greatest interest to travelers within China.
Hangzhou, China —
While Google only has 2.3% market share in China, Google's study also looked at top searches in what will soon become the world's largest domestic travel market. Hangzhou and Suzhou were declared the destinations of greatest interest to travelers within China.
"This info is gold if you want to really know what the local hotspots are," says Google spokesperson Joyce Hau. "For instance, what island destination is the most popular amongst Thais in Thailand? Hint: it's not Koh Samui." It's actually Koh Lahn, pictured.
Koh Lahn, Thailand —
"This info is gold if you want to really know what the local hotspots are," says Google spokesperson Joyce Hau. "For instance, what island destination is the most popular amongst Thais in Thailand? Hint: it's not Koh Samui." It's actually Koh Lahn, pictured.
courtesy terry.lives.in.tokyo
An amusement park in Tagaytay City topped the domestic travel searches in the Philippines, perhaps not what any foreign traveler to the country would expect.
Sky Ranch Tagaytay, Philippines —
An amusement park in Tagaytay City topped the domestic travel searches in the Philippines, perhaps not what any foreign traveler to the country would expect.
courtesy ella patricia ferrer rualizo via Sky Ranch Tagaytay Facebook
This beautiful national park -- one of our top spots to watch sunsets -- was the most popular among Taiwanese searchers.
Kenting National Park, Taiwan —
This beautiful national park -- one of our top spots to watch sunsets -- was the most popular among Taiwanese searchers.
courtesy wilson tan
This hill resort, accessible by cable car, is where Malaysians want to go the most.
Genting Highlands, Malaysia —
This hill resort, accessible by cable car, is where Malaysians want to go the most.
courtesy chee hong
Most searched destinations in 2013

Story highlights

Google's year-in-review Zeitgeist list reveals most searched and trending destinations by country

Mexico topped U.S. searches for destination wedding locations

Local search info has most value for travelers

CNN  — 

One country’s dusty backyard is another country’s dream vacation, according to Google’s 2013 year-in-review list.

Published Tuesday, the Zeitgeist charts reveal the hottest travel destinations by country.

The data is divided into two kinds of lists. The first reflects the “trending” destinations – those that show the greatest growth in searches when compared to last year – while the second shows rankings of topics with the largest total search volumes.

Google is the world’s most popular search engine, with 71% of the global search engine market share.

The roundup yielded some surprising results – Macau was the most searched destination in India this year, for example.

In Australia the top destination was Disneyland, despite the fact that the closest Magical Kingdom is an ocean away in Hong Kong.

London topped the destination searches in the United Arab Emirates, while those in the UK were planning trips to Rome and New York.

More: The world’s best city is …

Zeitgeist also analyzed the top destination wedding and honeymoon searches coming from the United States.

American couples wanted to head to the warm waters of Mexico, Bahamas and Kauai for their weddings, while New Zealand topped their honeymoon searches. Croatia rounded out the top 10 honeymoon list.

True value

“This info is gold if you want to really know what the local hotspots are,” says Google spokesperson Joyce Hau.

“For instance, what island destination is the most popular amongst Thais in Thailand? Hint: it’s not Koh Samui.”

It’s actually Koh Larn.

Despite having only a 3% market share in China, Google’s study also looked at search queries there. Hangzhou and Suzhou were declared of greatest interest to travelers.

China will soon become the world’s largest domestic travel market and account for 40% of all outbound Asian travelers according to a new study by the Boston Consulting Group.

Highlights for the most searched destinations around the world are below. You can see the full lists at Google Zeitgeist.

Most searched destinations

Australia (search volume)
1. Disneyland
2. Dubai
3. China
4. London
5. Malaysia
6. Koh Samui
7. Phuket
8. Cambodia
9. Antarctica
10. Mecca

India (search volume)
1. Macau
2. Maldives
3. Mauritius
4. Bali
5. Boston
6. Dubai
7. Amsterdam
8. Singapore
9. Bangkok
10. Philippines

New Zealand (search volume)
1. Australia
2. Fiji
3. Vanuatu
4. Sydney
5. Bali
6. Mexico
7. Brisbane
8. Vietnam
9. New Caledonia
10. London

More: The most Instagrammed places in 2013

United Arab Emirates (search volume)
1. London
2. Singapore
3. Madrid
4. Barcelona
5. Thailand
6. Doha
7. Beirut
8. Sydney
9. Cannes
10. Paris

United Kingdom (trending)
1. Rome
2. New York
3. Amsterdam
4. Palma
5. Magaluf
6. Bangkok
7. Sydney
8. Bruges
9. Venice
10. Mauritius

China (search volume)
1. Hangzhou
2. Suzhou
3. Jiuzhaigou
4. Wuzhen
5. Beijing
6. Yunnan
7. Tibet
8. Hong Kong
9. Shanghai
10. Taiwan

U.S. searches for destination wedding locations (trending)

1. Mexico
2. Bahamas
3. Kauai
4. Caribbean
5. Jamaica
6. Italy
7. Las Vegas
8. Florida
9. Costa Rica
10. Bermuda

U.S. searches for honeymoon locations (trending)

1. New Zealand
2. Cancún
3. Maldives
4. Bali
5. Thailand
6. Belize
7. St Lucia
8. Tahiti
9. Caribbean
10. Croatia

Top domestic travel destination searches, by search volume

Japan (top Japanese destinations by Japanese users)
1. Disneyland
2. Universal Studios Japan
3. Tokyo DisneySea
4. Sky Tree
5. Isejingu (Ise Shrine)
6. Tokyo Dome
7. Fujikyuu Highland
8. Huis Ten Bosch
9. Izumo Taisha
10. Ooedo Hot Springs

Malaysia
1. Genting Highlands
2. Langkawi
3. Gold Coast Morib
4. Pulau Perhentian
5. Penang
6. Pulau Tioman
7. Port Dickson
8. Melaka
9. Kuching
10. Pulau Redang

Philippines
1. Sky Ranch Tagaytay
2. Movenpick Resort Cebu
3. Tubbataha Reef
4. Pico de Loro
5. Tugawe Cove Resort
6. Potipot Island
7. Amana Waterpark
8. Misibis Bay
9. Nuvali
10. Laiya resorts

Taiwan
1. Kenting
2. National Palace Museum
3. Wuling Farm
4. Yushan
5. Gongyuan
6. Lamay Island
7. Chateau in the Air, Miaoli
8. Jiufen
9. Huashan
10. Alishan

Thailand
1. Koh Lahn
2. Asiatique
3. Siam Park
4. Koh Chang
5. Accommodation in Hua Hin
6. Samed Island
7. Dream World Theme Park
8. Pattaya
9. Korea
10. Chiang Rai

More: 11 places to go in 2014