Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
Simon DannhauerSome island destinations are seeing a sharp rise in traveler interest in 2026, with searches for the places on Expedia’s latest Island Hot List climbing an average of 55% year over year.
The numbers are even bigger for a few destinations. Searches for St. Lucia rose 125% year over year, followed by Porto Santo in Madeira, Portugal, at 85%, Praslin in the Seychelles at 80% and Syros, Greece, at 60%.
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