Top holiday destinations for 2010 influenced by sporting events and green issues

By Sarah Gordon
Updated: 06:11 EST, 17 November 2009

Sporting events and eco tourism will have a great effect on our choice of holiday destinations in 2010 according to a new travel trends report.

International competitions like the World Cup and Winter Olympics will increase visitor numbers to South Africa and Vancouver and other tourists will be inspired to visit cities like Stockholm due to its title of European Green Capital for 2010.

The research, by British Airways, has outlined the top ten hot destinations for next year, showing we have not lost our taste for adventure despite a tightening of the purse strings. 

Topping the list of popular destinations is Cape Town which is expecting around half a million supporters for the world's biggest international football competition.

Sue Botes, BA commercial manager in South Africa, said: 'Cape Town has always been a popular destination, we expect the World Cup to push it to the top of the long haul league table as the best place to be in 2010.'

It is hotly followed by Istanbul, which has taken over the accolade of European Capital of Culture from Vilnius in Lithuania.

The city and its visitors will see the benefits of greater investment in its plethora of Roman and Byzantine tourist attractions which make the cultural centre of Turkey so fascinating.

Alongside more established destinations including Las Vegas and New York and beach hotspots Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and the Maldives, some more unusual destinations have also made it on to the top ten list.

'The Pearl of the Adriatic' Dubrovnik in Croatia, has taken sixth place after becoming popular with the likes of Beyonce and Jay-Z. The coastal city with its walled Old Town and pavement restaurants make it a great short break destination and the private cluster of islands are well known for offering A-listers an escape from the limelight.

Delhi has also just climbed into tenth position thanks, in part, to the growing trend for 'tiger safaris' at nearby destinations Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kanha National Park. Delhi is also holding the Commonwealth Games next year, once again attracting the sporting crowds as well as cultural visitors.