5 countries that really need more travellers in 2026

For years, this little nation has held the title of ‘Europe’s least visited country’ – but that trajectory changed during January to September 2025 when Moldova welcomed an estimated 480,000 tourists, a 6.5 percent increase compared to 2024. However, the rise in numbers has been no easy feat. With around 70 percent of the country destroyed during the First and Second World Wars, Moldovans have been slowly building back their home and are now able to expand infrastructure to accommodate growing tourism. In humble capital Chișinău (pronounced: ‘Ki-shi–naw’), seek out the National Museum of History to understand pre-Soviet life, while the gardens of Stefan cel Mare Central Park showcase local literary greats in the form of sculptures. Traditional coffee kiosks are ideal for people watching. Away from the city, wander the world's biggest wine cellar at the 1969-founded Milestii Mici. Note: the FCO advises against travel to the independent state of Transnistria, the strip of land wedged between Moldova and Ukraine.

Tourism has become a vital economy in the Gambia, as the country battles the effects of climate change on its once-flourishing agricultural industry. Travellers have been coming here since the 1970s, when package deals were all the rage. Now, the country focuses on a more community-led genre of tourism, where local people and businesses have become the cornerstone of immersive travel experiences. Although the silky-white sands of the west coast shouldn’t be missed, the best way to experience the real Gambia is to embark on the beautifully-named Ninki Nanka Trail. The guided route takes you (on foot and by boat) into the lesser-explored interior, following the mangrove-lined upper reaches of the Gambia River, dipping in and out of the bankside villages. Here, you experience the Gambia’s traditional way of life, where salt-panning, weaving and blacksmithing still thrive. Accommodation comes in the form of lodges, homestays and riverboats.

For over two years, Jordan has been navigating plummeting tourism due to the devastating events taking place in the Middle East. With numbers slowly increasing again, now’s the time to experience the country’s iconic sites such as Petra, without the hordes of tourists. What’s even more special is how Jordan’s tourism is built on community enterprises and experiences, and walking sections of the 675km Jordan Trail is one of the best ways to meet the people that make this country so special. Highlights include the pine forests of Aljoun with local guide Eisa Dweekat, enjoying a mouthwatering lunch of maqqloubeh (a traditional rice dish with chicken and veg’, flipped upside down before serving) with entrepreneur Nabila Mustafa, staying with Bedouin families in the central desert and spotting stars and planets with the team at off-the-grid Feynan Lodge, on the outskirts of the Dana Biosphere.

An adventure to Central Asia’s smallest country, Tajikistan, is easier than you think. Flights arrive at the capital Dushanbe several times a week, via Dubai or Istanbul. The historical Victory Park is best for gaining your bearings and enjoying panoramic views over the city, and Mehrgon Bazaar is home to perhaps the tastiest dried fruits in town. The highlights of Tajikistan, however, lie among its mountain ranges, and hiking here means venturing into true wilderness. The rugged Fann mountain paths and trails are carpeted in Juniper forests and speckled with the bluest of glacial lakes – while among the eastern peaks, home to the Pamir communities, you can get to know the customs and foods that have shaped the country. Tajik guides lead responsible operator trips, including Much Better Adventures’ Trek the Fann Mountains itinerary, which takes small groups (maximum 12 people) camping in some of the most extraordinary landscapes.

Despite being dwarfed by neighbouring countries like Brazil, Paraguay has a big history. Colonisation, dictatorships and regional wars – this nation has seen it all. As a result, residents recognise the importance of peace, and enjoy a tradition-rooted, slow way of life. Over half of the country is blanketed by the Chaco, an expanse of dry forest, wetland and agricultural land. Here, Guaranís (Paraguay’s Indigenous peoples) and gauchos live side-by-side, with the Guaraní language spoken widely, even in non-Indigenous communities. The Chaco is also home to over 500 species of birds, including flamingoes (April to October). If you’re lucky, you might spot the iconic armadillo or tapir and the elusive puma. In lively capital, Asunción, wander the municipal market by day and indulge in the street food market by night. The Museo de las Memorias is the best place to learn about how this humble country overthrew its radical dictator, Alfredo Stroessner, in 1989.