While natural wonders and cultural festivals remain key reasons for travel, more and more travelers in 2025 are choosing to spend their time and money on theme parks. A new analysis by Trip.com reveals that these entertainment complexes are becoming the most visited destinations on the planet.

Surprising Results

The annual Global 100 list, published by the Trip.com platform, offers an overview of the world’s most popular hotels, restaurants and attractions. The rankings are based on user reviews, booking data, and overall visitor experience, along with a destination’s reputation and service quality. While it was expected that cultural landmarks and natural phenomena would continue to top the list, the data reveals that theme park entertainment has taken the world by storm.

Theme Parks Leading the Way

Among the top ten attractions for this year, six belong to the world of theme parks. Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios Japan, Disneyland Park in California and Shanghai Disney Resort appeared alongside prestigious institutions. Like the Louvre, the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Sagrada Familia, and the Vatican Museums. This mix of high culture and family-friendly fun reflects a shift in global travel preferences.

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Most Popular Destinations of 2025

According to the data, these are the most visited attractions this year:

• Louvre, Paris

• Walt Disney World Resort, Florida

• Forbidden City, Beijing

• Disneyland Park, California

• Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

• Shanghai Disney Resort

• Universal Orlando Resort

• Vatican Museums, Rome

• Universal Studios Japan

• Universal Beijing Resort

Theme Parks Taking Over Europe

Expanding the view to the top thirty attractions, the number of theme parks increases further — Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Universal Studios Hollywood also make the list. This trend shows no signs of slowing, as industry giants like Disney and Universal continue to invest heavily in expanding and upgrading their offerings. One of the most exciting announcements is the planned opening of Universal’s first European park, set to launch just outside London in 2031.

Entertainment as a Global Tourism Phenomenon

The fact is theme parks are ranked alongside the world’s most important cultural and artistic monuments. That shows how the line between entertainment and culture is becoming increasingly blurred. Today’s travelers seek experiences that combine excitement, content, and emotion. That is exactly what theme parks provide. In an era where travel is synonymous with personal experience, fairy tales and adrenaline-fueled adventures clearly hold a firm place on the modern traveler’s wish list.

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