<strong>World's fastest-growing tourism destinations: </strong>The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has revealed the fastest growing tourism destinations so far in 2017 -- and the results might surprise you. Here are the top 10.
World's fastest-growing tourism destinations: The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has revealed the fastest growing tourism destinations so far in 2017 -- and the results might surprise you. Here are the top 10.
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<strong>10. Israel: </strong>The UNWTO says international arrivals in Israel are up 25.1%. Must-see attractions include the the ancient hilltop fortress of Masada in the Judean desert, pictured, and Jerusalem's ancient limestone Western Wall. <br /><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fbest-israel-museums%2Findex.html">READ: 10 of Israel's best museums</a>
10. Israel: The UNWTO says international arrivals in Israel are up 25.1%. Must-see attractions include the the ancient hilltop fortress of Masada in the Judean desert, pictured, and Jerusalem's ancient limestone Western Wall.
READ: 10 of Israel's best museums
MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>9. Mongolia:</strong> Remote but beautiful Mongolia is landlocked between China and Russia. It remains seeped in tradition, including nomadic living. Perhaps because of its beautiful natural scenery, the country's tourism is up 28.3% this year. Highlights include the Orkhon waterfall in Ovorkhangai Province. More stunning Mongolia photos <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fbeautiful-mongolia%2Findex.html">here</a>.
9. Mongolia: Remote but beautiful Mongolia is landlocked between China and Russia. It remains seeped in tradition, including nomadic living. Perhaps because of its beautiful natural scenery, the country's tourism is up 28.3% this year. Highlights include the Orkhon waterfall in Ovorkhangai Province. More stunning Mongolia photos here.
JOEL SAGET/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>8. Nicaragua:</strong> Central America's fastest-growing destination is Nicaragua, which has experienced a 28.4% rise in international arrivals so far this year. This rocky country is known for its volcanic landscapes, including the Cerro Negro volcano, pictured here, where tourists can enjoy sandboarding. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Fgallery%2F10-reason-nicaragua%2Findex.html">READ: 10 beautiful reasons to visit Nicaragua</a>
8. Nicaragua: Central America's fastest-growing destination is Nicaragua, which has experienced a 28.4% rise in international arrivals so far this year. This rocky country is known for its volcanic landscapes, including the Cerro Negro volcano, pictured here, where tourists can enjoy sandboarding. READ: 10 beautiful reasons to visit Nicaragua
INTI OCON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>7. Uruguay:</strong> South America's contribution to the list is Uruguay. Situated between tourism big-hitters Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay hasn't always got the attention it deserves. But more recently it's become a popular destination thanks to its glamorous Punta del Este beaches. International arrivals so far in 2017 are up 30.2%. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Furuguay-travel-10-reasons-to-visit%2Findex.html">READ: 10 great reasons to visit </a><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Furuguay-travel-10-reasons-to-visit%2Findex.html">Uruguay</a>
7. Uruguay: South America's contribution to the list is Uruguay. Situated between tourism big-hitters Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay hasn't always got the attention it deserves. But more recently it's become a popular destination thanks to its glamorous Punta del Este beaches. International arrivals so far in 2017 are up 30.2%. READ: 10 great reasons to visit Uruguay
MIGUEL ROJO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>6. Vietnam:</strong> <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Fdestinations%2Fvietnam">Vietnam's</a> international arrivals grew 31.2% so far this year, making it Asia's fastest growing destination. The country remains popular for many reasons: head to capital Hanoi for the fantastic street food and further into the countryside for natural wonders. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fvietnam-hang-son-doong-cave%2Findex.html">READ: Explore Hang Son Doong, the world's largest cave</a>
6. Vietnam: Vietnam's international arrivals grew 31.2% so far this year, making it Asia's fastest growing destination. The country remains popular for many reasons: head to capital Hanoi for the fantastic street food and further into the countryside for natural wonders. READ: Explore Hang Son Doong, the world's largest cave
HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>5. Tunisia: </strong>Tunisia's tourism industry suffered following the 2015 terrorist attacks at the Bardo Museum and Sousse Beach. More recently <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F08%2F15%2Fafrica%2Ftunisian-tourism-terror%2Findex.html">numbers have been on the rise</a>: the UNWTO says international arrivals are up 32.5% so far this year. The beaches are a highlight -- as are the sand dunes and ancient ruins.
5. Tunisia: Tunisia's tourism industry suffered following the 2015 terrorist attacks at the Bardo Museum and Sousse Beach. More recently numbers have been on the rise: the UNWTO says international arrivals are up 32.5% so far this year. The beaches are a highlight -- as are the sand dunes and ancient ruins.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>4. Iceland: </strong>Over the past 10 years, Iceland's tourism industry has gone from strength to strength. International arrivals are up 34.9% in 2017 so far. It's now on many people's "must visit" list, thanks to the spectacular natural scenery. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fphotos-iceland-most-beautiful-places%2Findex.html">READ: Iceland's most beautiful places</a>
4. Iceland: Over the past 10 years, Iceland's tourism industry has gone from strength to strength. International arrivals are up 34.9% in 2017 so far. It's now on many people's "must visit" list, thanks to the spectacular natural scenery. READ: Iceland's most beautiful places
Joe Raedle/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>3. Northern Mariana Islands: </strong>This picturesque Pacific archipelago, which includes the island of Saipan, is emerging as one to watch, thanks to its idyllic landscape and chilled atmosphere. International arrivals are up 37.3% here, with visitors flocking to enjoy the delights of island life.
3. Northern Mariana Islands: This picturesque Pacific archipelago, which includes the island of Saipan, is emerging as one to watch, thanks to its idyllic landscape and chilled atmosphere. International arrivals are up 37.3% here, with visitors flocking to enjoy the delights of island life.
Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>2. Egypt:</strong> Egypt is another country that has suffered from the effects of political unrest and terrorism. But arrivals are up 51% so far this year. Visitors are clearly still keen to take a camel ride around Egypt's famous Giza Pyramids, pictured here, and explore the North African country's famous sites and sounds.<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fegypt-cairo-13-things%2Findex.html"> READ: 13 signs that you're probably in Cairo</a>
2. Egypt: Egypt is another country that has suffered from the effects of political unrest and terrorism. But arrivals are up 51% so far this year. Visitors are clearly still keen to take a camel ride around Egypt's famous Giza Pyramids, pictured here, and explore the North African country's famous sites and sounds. READ: 13 signs that you're probably in Cairo
Chris McGrath/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>1. Palestinian territories: </strong>Tourism in the Palestinian territories is rising rapidly -- there's been a 57.8% rise in international arrivals so far this year. Highlights include Ottoman-era palaces and historic religious sites. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fjericho-mosaic-inside-the-middle-east%2Findex.html">READ: 7 million-piece mosaic uncovered in Jericho after 80 years</a>
1. Palestinian territories: Tourism in the Palestinian territories is rising rapidly -- there's been a 57.8% rise in international arrivals so far this year. Highlights include Ottoman-era palaces and historic religious sites. READ: 7 million-piece mosaic uncovered in Jericho after 80 years
ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World's fastest-growing destinations for 2017
CNN  — 

Don’t be surprised if your favorite city feels a bit more crowded the next time you visit.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization has released its latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and the flood of global travelers looking to journey beyond their borders is stronger than ever.

Numbers indicate that destinations worldwide received 369 million international tourists (overnight visitors) in the first four months of 2017 – a whopping 21 million more than in the same few months of 2016.

Perhaps even more surprising are the report’s figures highlighting the fastest-growing tourist destinations in 2017, based on international arrivals.

These include up-and-coming destinations such as Mongolia, alongside tourism stalwarts Vietnam and Iceland.

The data also reveals that countries recently plagued by terrorism or political unrest – such as Egypt and Tunisia – still have the tourism pull to rebound from a downward turn.

Intrigued? Here are UNWTO’s fastest-growing tourist destinations in 2017, along with their growth rates, and their full-year figures for 2016.

1. Palestinian territories: up 57.8%. (400,000 visitors in 2016).

2. Egypt: up 51%. (5.26 million visitors in 2016).

3. Northern Mariana Islands: up 37.3%. (531,000 visitors in 2016).

4. Iceland: up 34.9%. (1.79 million visitors in 2016).

5. Tunisia: up 32.5%. (5.7 million visitors in 2016).

6. Vietnam: up 31.2%. (10 million visitors in 2016).

7. Uruguay: up 30.2%. (3 million visitors in 2016).

8. Nicaragua: up 28.4%. (1.5 million visitors in 2016).

9. Mongolia: up 28.3%. (404,000 visitors in 2016).

10. Israel: up 25.1%. (2.9 million visitors in 2016).