UAE ranked best alternative destination to overcrowded Europe

Influencer marketing agency Heepsy says the UAE is the top alternative destination outside Europe as visitors look to escape this summer’s overcrowding hotspots such as Venice, Rome and Barcelona.

There are four GCC countries in the top 10 rankings, with UAE top, Qatar in second, Oman fifth and Bahrain in tenth. Saudi Arabia also makes the list in 13th place.

The research from Heepsy rated destinations on five key factors – safety, number of hotels, tourist activities, climate and Instagram popularity – with destinations given a final, user-friendly rating score out of 100.

The UAE scored maximum marks (100) and also secured the second highest number of hotels in the top 10, with 19,700 compared to Japan’s 50,500.

The year-round average of 33C also scores positively, as do activities, and Instagram hashtags – with luxury shopping and desert experiences top shares.

Earlier this month, the UAE was named the world’s safest country to explore after dark, according to Travelbag, with Abu Dhabi crowned world’s safest city at night.