Travellers Rejoice: Tripadvisor Reveals the Most Highly Recommended Experiences in the World for 2022

As the summer travel season heats up to be the busiest since pre-pandemic years, and appetites for jet-set adventures soar, Tripadvisor®, the world's largest travel guidance platform, today announces the next in its coveted Travellers' Choice® Award series: The Best of the Best Things to Do. Revealing all the must-do activities in travel hotspots around the world, this accolade also includes hidden gems in off the beaten path locations: from Oahu’s chilled-out North Shore to Reykjavik’s foodie enclaves, and much more. As part of this next iteration of Travellers' Choice Awards, Tripadvisor outlines subcategories corresponding with the wants and needs of every traveller.

With high demand for travel, vacationers want to make up for lost time, desperately seeking those trips of a lifetime. The Travellers’ Choice Awards are the ultimate resource of tried-and-true experiences, curated by travellers within Tripadvisor’s community, ready to bring holiday itineraries to the next level. .

An Elevated Way to Travel
Travellers across all ages indicated (60%) in a 2021 Tripadvisor survey that emerging from the pandemic they intend to book a local experience to get to know more about the destinations they plan to visit on their next trip, with interest rising further for millennial travellers*. Whether it’s an adrenaline-pumping ATV tour through the red dunes of Dubai or a relaxing sunset cruise with a glass of local wine along the gorgeous Lisbon harbour, Tripadvisor has an unmatched inventory of over 300,000 bookable activities to help all travellers - from adventure lovers to beach bums - discover the best things to do.

To this end, Tripadvisor’s second annual “Things to Do” Awards celebrate travellers’ favourite experiences and the attractions they love to visit around the world. As priorities evolve for many travellers since the pandemic, vacations are much more than just booking a flight, selecting a hotel room and sitting poolside within a resort. It’s the experiences travellers have on a trip that leave lasting impressions, frequently retold stories and unforgettable memories.

How does Tripadvisor determine the best?
For all Travellers’ Choice Awards, Tripadvisor analyzes the authentic feedback from its community to identify and rank the best in travel. With over one billion reviews and opinions from real, global travellers, Tripadvisor has the authority and guidance on what to book to truly experience the best of a destination. The Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards are based on the reviews and ratings of experiences, tours, attractions and activities over the past 12 months from Tripadvisor travellers, celebrating a vast array of travellers’ most highly recommended activities of 2022.

Tripadvisor is awarding top things to do in 11 subcategories, ranging from quintessential favourites like the best Food Experiences and Nature & Outdoor Activities to new and exciting areas like Pop Culture Tours and Bucket List Experiences. For the thrill seekers, Tripadvisor is also recognizing the Top Amusement & Water Parks and celebrating everyone’s favorite Attractions.

Kate Urquhart, General Manager, Experiences at Tripadvisor, says: “We hear from travelers year-round that the experiences and activities found on Tripadvisor are the highlights of their trips. Today, I’m thrilled to announce the winners of the 2022 Travelers’ Choice Things to Do Awards, celebrating the past year’s most amazing tours and activities. The awards bring well-deserved recognition to the hard-working and skilled tour operators who have managed to provide exceptional experiences to their guests while still navigating the pandemic. From a luxurious food-filled evening to a long-haul trek, there is something for every traveler on this list, and we know Tripadvisor offers an unparalleled platform to find and book things to do. So, check out this year’s winners to discover the tours and activities travelers say you can’t miss!”

Outdoor activities dominated the 2021 awards, and they made another strong showing this year, as experiences on the water like snorkelling and experiences in nature like ziplining took top spots in Australia and across the region.

Among all the different types of activities, the No. 1 Top Experience in the entire world for 2022 is an Amsterdam Open Boat Canal Cruise. This is a scenic cruise along Amsterdam’s stunning canals that passes iconic spots like the Anne Frank House, the Jordaan, the Houseboat Museum, Leiden Square, Rijksmuseum, De Duif and much more. With nearly 10,000 reviews, this tour has travelers raving about its guides, as well as the accompanying wine and cheese.

In Australia, it’s Port Douglas’ Guided Outer Reef Snorkelling Tour, hosted by Abc Snorkel Charters, at No. 1 in the country, No. 1 in the South Pacific region and No. 24 in the World. Travellers who love nature and wildlife will enjoy this snorkelling tour of the outer Great Barrier Reef. In small groups, guests get one instructor for every 6 participants, ensuring personalised service. Spend a full day out at some of the more remote snorkelling spots, away from the crowds. Be amazed by the variety of sea life you’ll see.


The Top 10 Experiences in the South Pacific for 2022

1. Guided Outer Reef Snorkelling Tour – Port Douglas, Australia
2. Ziplining Forest Adventure - The Original Canopy Tour Rotorua – Rotorua, New Zealand
3. Margaret River Wine Adventure – Margaret River, Australia
4. Kangaroo Island Quad Bike (ATV) Tours – Kangaroo Island, Australia
5. Aquascene Magnetic Island Discovery Tour – Magnetic Island, Australia
6. Buccaneer Explorer – Broome, Australia
7. Akaroa Dolphins 〜 Harbour Nature Cruise – Akaroa, New Zealand
8. Reef Discovery Half Day Group Signature Tour – Bora Bora, French Polynesia
9. Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise & Picnic Lunch – Milford Sound, New Zealand
10. Morning Snorkelling Shared Boat Tour in Bora Bora – Bora Bora, French Polynesia

The Top 10 Experiences in Australia for 2022

1. Guided Outer Reef Snorkelling Tour – Port Douglas, Queensland
2. Margaret River Wine Adventure – Margaret River, Western Australia
3. Kangaroo Island Quad Bike (ATV) Tours – Kangaroo Island, South Australia
4. Aquascene Magnetic Island Discovery Tour – Magnetic Island, Queensland
5. Buccaneer Explorer – Broome, Western Australia
6. 40-Minute Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight from Cairns - Cairns, Queensland
7. Maria Island Cruise and Guided Walk Day Tour with Lunch and Drinks - Orford, Tasmania
8. Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast Jet Boat Ride – Surfers Paradise, Queensland
9. Gold Coast Tandem Skydive - Coolangatta, Queensland
10. Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour – Melbourne, Victoria

Food Experiences: 

Tours and experiences that are known for their great taste (literally).
No. 1 in the world: Reykjavik Food Walk - Reykjavik, Iceland
See all the winners here

Nature & Outdoor Activities: 

Fresh air, new heights, wildlife sightings—the greatest outdoor adventures start here.

No. 1 in the world: Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area - Tierra Verde, Florida
Also on the world list, Rotorua’s Ziplining Forest Adventure - The Original Canopy Tour Rotorua came in No. 3 in the World and Coolangatta’s Gold Coast Tandem Skydive ranked No. 15
See all the winners here

Sailing & Day Cruises: 

Get out on the open water with traveller-loved expeditions.
No. 1 in the world: Amsterdam Open Boat Canal Cruise - Live Guide - from Anne Frank House - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Based in New Zealand, Akaroa Dolphins Harbour Nature Cruise came in at No. 8 on the world list
See all the winners here

Cultural & Historical Tours: 

Discover a new city on foot, bike, even Vespa(!) with the best guides in the game.
No. 1 in the world: Renaissance & Medici Tales - Explore Florence with the best storytellers - Florence, Italy
See all the winners here

Snorkelling & Water Sports: 

From snorkelling and scuba diving to kayaking and surfing, these are the best things to do under—and over—the sea.
No. 1 in the world: Rafting - Sprouts - Rio Jacaré Pepira by Wild Canoe Territory - Brotas, Brazil
The No. 1 Top Experience in Australia and the South Pacific, Guided Outer Reef Snorkelling Tour, also ranked No. 6 in the world list for Snorkelling & Water Sports
See all the winners here

Wine, Beer, and Spirits Experiences:

Sip your way through these top-rated tours and tastings.
No. 1 in the world: St. Augustine's Wine, Cocktail and Food Experience - St. Augustine, Florida
Coming in at No. 9 on the world list is the Yarra Valley Wine & Food Day Tour from Melbourne with lunch at Yering Station
See all the winners here

Bucket List Experiences: 

Unique things to do that’ll make your trip—and give you the best stories for later, too.
No. 1 in the world: Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari & BBQ at Al Khayma Camp™️, Dubai - Dubai, UAE
No. 6 in the world is another New Zealand experience, Ziplining Forest Adventure - The Original Canopy Tour Rotorua
See all the winners here

Pop Culture Tours: 

Go behind the scenes of your favourite movies, shows, and artists with fan-favourite experiences.
No. 1 in the world: Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More - Los Angeles, California
Coming in at No. 10 on the world list is the Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour
See all the winners here

Top Attractions: 

Loved by travellers, they’re the iconic landmarks you simply have to see to believe.
No. 1 in the world: Basílica de la Sagrada Familia - Barcelona, Spain
No. 1 in the Australia and the South Pacific: Kings Park and Botanic Garden – Perth, Australia
See all the winners here

Amusement Parks: 

The best places to scream, splash, and get your adrenaline fix, according to travellers who love a good thrill.
No. 1 in the world: Siam Park - Adeje, Spain
See all the winners here

See all the winners across subcategories here.