Back in 2018, we launched our inaugural Not Hot List, designed to shed light on the lesser-known places ready for – and deserving of – more visitors. This year, we’ve released our most comprehensive list to date.
There’s no question the travel landscape has shifted since we created our first Not Hot List more than six years ago. Pandemic-induced changes to the industry aside, the concerns around rising temperatures and increased crowds in major destinations around the world have changed the way many of us travel today.
But rather than boycotting the busier spots, we’re focusing on how we can promote better ways of travelling – for all. We created the Not Hot List by looking at the stats, speaking to local people and working in tandem with travel trend forecasting agency Globetrender.
The Not Hot List 2025 is our yearly round-up of some of the places that are ready for more attention – like South America‘s least visited country, Guyana, or Morocco‘s Anti-Atlas Mountains. But it’s about more than that for us. This list is a nod to a lot of the things we stand for and how we’d like to continue to approach responsible tourism in the future.
Done right, responsible tourism can create significant economic benefits for local communities and help bridge the gap to connect different cultures. Over the last 35 years, we’ve championed this kind of travel that’s mutually beneficial for locals and travellers alike.
The latest Not Hot List bridges the gap between undiscovered beauty, curious travellers and the communities ready to welcome them.
With the support of The Intrepid Foundation, our non-profit, Intrepid trips give back to the places we visit and ensures the economic benefits of travel remain within local communities. All the while, offering travellers a window into the cultures, landscapes and ways of life in other countries.
Erica Kritikides, Intrepid general manager of global product, says, ‘From enhanced opportunities for all to the preservation of local heritage, culture and wildlife – and even as a driver for tolerance and peace – responsible tourism can foster untold growth.’
She says, ‘the latest Not Hot List bridges the gap between undiscovered beauty, curious travellers and the communities ready to welcome them.’
There are plenty of ways travel can serve as a force for good. Here are just some of them.
Giving back to local communities
By supporting local businesses and experiences when you travel, you’re choosing to help put the economic benefits of tourism in the pockets of local people. We work with local leaders because we believe there’s no one better to show you a destination than the people who live there; plus, we want to do our bit to enhance local employment opportunities.
Fostering greater connections and understanding
We believe travel has the power to connect people from all walks of life. From the communities we visit to the people who make our trips, to our travellers who are getting out there and seeing the world, travel connects us. Travel helps to share stories from different cultures and gives people a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Exploring the lesser-known spots
At Intrepid, we believe every place has something special to offer. Under-visited destinations often allow travellers to connect with local cultures more authentically. And it’s usually these same places that could stand to benefit the most from more visitors.
That’s where our latest Not Hot List comes in – aiming to spread the positive benefits of travel more widely, shedding new light on places ready to welcome more tourism.
From Pakistan’s pristine mountain ranges that rival some of the world’s most famous hiking trails to Greenland‘s lesser-visited volcanic island of Disko Island (Qeqertarsuaq), the places on this list will surprise and delight even the most seasoned adventurers.
Erica says, ‘Many of these destinations are unveiling new routes, crafting innovative itineraries, and launching exciting initiatives that make them worthy of increased attention, tourism and conversation’.
Get your eyes on the underrated spots with overwhelming appeal via our latest Not Hot List.
