There's always a new "hot spot" to travel to every year, and that wasn't any different back in the 1990s. The 90s saw an economic boom in the United States and people took advantage of that by traveling to other parts of the world.
Not only were people traveling across the globe, but the end of communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union allowed many other nations to welcome international travelers. Visiting Moscow, Russia was trendy and the end of the Apartheid meant people could go on exciting safaris in South Africa.
However, travel trends come and go and the travel destinations that were hugely popular in the 90s are not as popular today. Whether it was because travelers no longer felt safe or wanted to explore other parts of the globe, these 14 travel destinations listed below have seen a decline in tourism.
14 Traveling To Moscow, Russia Was Trendy
Moscow, Russia was one of the top destinations for travelers during the 90s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. New changes were being made and Westerners began to see Moscow as one of the trendiest places to visit. The most popular places during that time were McDonald's and Lenin's Tomb.
13 South Africa's Wildlife Was A Must-See In The '90s
The 1990s saw the official start of ending the Apartheid and it became a better place to travel and even live with the help of Nelson Mandela. South Africa started to attract visitors from all over as the country became a safari haven. While tourism isn't booming as it did in the 90s, it's still worth considering making a trip.
12 Switzerland's Appeal Oddly Fell
Switzerland is by far one of the most beautiful countries on our planet, and tourism was great for the nation in the 90s, seeing adventurous and outdoorsy travelers. It's unusual to see that most travelers are forgetting about Switzerland since it has been regarded as one of the safest and best places to live in the world.
11 Hungary Was One Of The Top European Destinations
With the end of communism in the early 90s, people were beginning to venture out to European nations including countries like Hungary. The nation was the 5th most visited country in the 90s! However, it appears tourism is not the same as it once was with travelers opting to see more popular European nations like France and Germany.
10 South Beach, Miami Was Booming Thanks To The Economy
South Beach, Miami saw a big tourism boom in the 90s as people from all over the world came to hang out with artists, fashionistas, and designers, declaring the city one of the "hippest" in the world at the time. The coastal strip was coming back to life after decades of corruption and violence. People still visit South Beach today, but it just seems to bring out the rowdy Spring Breakers.
9 Cancun, Mexico Is Just Uber-Touristy Now
Cancun was the most popular destination in Mexico in the 90s with people flocking to its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear blue waters. Hotels and attractions were quickly opening and largely undeveloped stretches of jungle were being cleared like Tulum, where tourists now take a day trip to see ruins of the ancient Mayans. While Cancun is still a popular tourist destination, it's been rampaged by a younger crowd and certain areas are not so family-friendly.
8 Vietnam Is Being Overtaken By Its Neighbors
Vietnam was very much isolated to the rest of the world until the 1990s. Tourism was becoming important to the nation's economy thanks to international travelers who wanted to get a taste of Asian culture. However, people are now traveling to Vietnam's neighboring countries like Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos which are doing better when it comes to marketing their destinations.
7 Prague, Czech Republic Saw Visitors From All Over The World
In the 90s, the Czech Republic saw thousands of tourists coming in to visit its historical landmarks and jaw-dropping architecture. Prague, it's the capital city, is its historic center with stunning Gothic churches and colorful baroque buildings. Tourism isn't quite the same as it was, but people still come to see its unique European flair.
6 China Was Attracting Visitors After The Tiananmen Square Incident
China was gaining more tourists again after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and incident. The country was gaining popularity more than ever now that international visitors felt safe enough to travel. China's culture, history, and landmarks continue to intrigue people to travel to it today, but with recent fears, the number of travelers might decrease dramatically.
5 Romania Isn't Popular Like It Once Was
Romania is known for its medieval castles and fortifications which are some of the things that intrigue travelers. The country saw tourism peak in the 90s with visitors excited to learn the history of the nation, but as of late, Romania has seen a decrease in travelers. Tourists may be making their way to neighboring countries like Ukraine Moldova and forgetting about this pleasant nation.
Related: Here Are 10 Popular Destinations That Travelers Need To Avoid (If They Value Their Safety)
4 Alcapulco Was A Thriving Beach Resort Town
Alcapulco, Mexico in the 90s was the place to be for a beach getaway. Sadly, this once popular tourist resort saw massive gang violence and murder in 2014, so tourists stayed away. The city no longer gets the same amount of foreign tourists as it did in the 1990s and it remains the second deadliest city in Mexico.
3 Kerala, India's Palm-Lined Beaches Attracted Adventurous Vacationers
The adventurous traveler of the 90s made their way to India, the state of Kerala to be exact. Situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, Kerala was a paradise getaway for travelers in the 1990s. Today, this state in India can get easily forgotten about with so many other more popular tropical locations across the globe.
Related: 15 Cruises That Are A Must For 90s Kids (10 For Baby Boomers)
2 Chile's New Hotels Drove In Tourists
Chile was such a popular travel destination in the 90s that its main source of income was tourism. By creating new, luxurious hotels around the Atacama Desert, which is sometimes compared to the planet Mars for its red desert, Chile was becoming a trendy destination. Today, it still sees travelers, but it falls behind countries like Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Argentina, and Brazil.
Related: 15 Strange (But True) Facts About These Random Travel Destinations Everyone Needs To Know
1 Tourism Boomed For Australia Thanks To Crocodile Dundee
Crocodile Dundee starring Paul Hogan as Mick Dundee was a hit in 1986 and it made people want to see just what Australia was all about. With strong economic growth in the 90s, it was a chance for Westerners to see the beautiful Outback and maybe a crocodile or two. However, with recent dangerous bush fires, tourism has slowed in Australia.