One of only five Blue Zones in the world, Okinawa has been named by Expedia as one of its Destinations of the Year 2026, ranking second on the list following a remarkable 71% year-on-year increase in flight and accommodation searches.
The recognition also aligns with Expedia’s new Smart Travel Health Check framework, developed with insights from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to highlight destinations demonstrating sustainable tourism management. Okinawa’s inclusion reflects not only its growing global popularity, but also its commitment to responsible tourism and community wellbeing