The world's fastest growing countries for tourism in 2019

Here's one that gladdens the heart. Iran's numbers might still be small – 7.3 million visitors in 2018, compared with, say, France's 89 million – but they're increasing sharply. More and more people are being drawn to one of the world's most misunderstood countries, which can only be a good thing. Get there now before everyone else does.

Egypt – up 36 per cent

This is another good news story, given the troubles Egypt has experienced in recent years. Relative calm on the political front has led to a resurgence for the local tourism industry, with international visitors flocking back. The country's numbers are not quite back to the heyday of 2010 (still about 3 million short), but they're getting there.

Uganda – up 31.9 per cent

This is an interesting one because it's not as if Uganda has suddenly had a rash of good publicity, or that the political situation in the country has dramatically improved. Still, business is booming, helped along no doubt by the increase in interest in trekking to see mountain gorillas in the country's west.

Nepal – up 24 per cent

Slovenia – up 23 per cent

Slovenia is another notable big hitter, given it's such a small country that people know relatively little about. But word is getting out: about the food, about the mountain landscapes, about the fairy tale villages and the beautiful rivers and lakes. This is the perfect alternative to, say, Switzerland or Italy, and people are clueing onto it.

Palestinian Territories – up 20.5 per cent

Another good news story, as far as I'm concerned, because Palestine cops such bad press when in fact it's a fascinating, friendly and beautiful place to visit. The territories are popular with pilgrims of various religions, of course – people who want to visit sacred sites. But I hope they also stop to appreciate the modern culture.

Vietnam – up 19.9 per cent

Everyone loves Vietnam, and why wouldn't they? The country is cheap, it's friendly, it's beautiful, and the food is spectacular. In 2010, only 5 million people visited Vietnam. Last year that number was 15.5 million – a 210 per cent increase. I would say get there before everyone else does, but they've already been.

Georgia – up 16.9 per cent

This is usually a country I mention as a criminally underrated secret, an up-and-coming destination that deserves more credit than it gets. Apparently, however, it's time to shelve that notion. Georgia is on the up, with almost 5 million visitors last year (for perspective, Australia – huge, famous Australia – had just over 9 million). The secret's out.

South Korea – up 15.1 per cent

Korea – the southern one, not the crazy people's democratic one – has been popular for a few years now, but what's amazing is its continued rise. More than 15 million people visited last year. And what drew them there? The excellent air connections? The safety? The history? The Gangnam-style fashion? The food? Probably a little of everything.

NOT

South America – up 1.2 per cent

South America as a whole was pretty steady last year, but that's mostly because of Ecuador, plus Colombia was up 7.4 per cent and Argentina was up 3.2 per cent. Brazil was flat. The rest of the continent though? Shocker. Uruguay was down 5.6 per cent, Chile was down a huge 11.3 per cent, and Paraguay took a whopping 24.3 per cent hit. So what's the deal? Hard to say exactly, but after a boom for a few of these countries recently, maybe this is a natural realignment.

Qatar – down 19.4 per cent

Qatar was another country that took a big hit, reflected by Qatar Airways posting a loss of $944 million last year. Much of that has to do with the country's forced embargo with neighbours Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, who have cut diplomatic ties with the country.

Puerto Rico – down 19.2 per cent

Here's another one that's easy to explain, given the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. Puerto Rico will take a while to recover from that one.

United Kingdom – down 3.5 per cent

Most countries around the world are trending up. There are more people travelling than ever before, so you don't have to work too hard for growth. And yet the United Kingdom struggled in 2018, with tourist arrivals down 3.5 per cent. That's more than 1 million fewer people. It could be the Brexit effect. It could be that people want somewhere more exotic. Whatever it is, Britain is not hot.

Are you surprised by any of these numbers? Have you been to any of these "hot" countries recently? Where do you think are the next tourism hot spots?

Email: b.groundwater@traveller.com.au

Instagram: instagram.com/bengroundwater

See also: The top destinations for 2019 named by the experts

See also: The world's 32 best places to eat in 2019