(Friday 10 January) Here are our favourite trends of the week:

Record number of tourist arrivals to Israel in 2019
The Israel Government Tourist Office in the UK has revealed that 2019 saw a record number of UK tourist arrivals, with 235,400 Brits visiting the country — 8% more than in 2018. In total, a record-breaking 4,551,600 international visitors were recorded — an increase of 11% from 2018 and 26% from 2017.

Trends for 2020: doubling down on destinations
Travellers are increasingly prioritising immersion in local culture above shopping, arts and heritage. As highlighted in its travel trends for 2020 report, Black Tomato has seen a 200% growth in people keen to rediscover previously visited destinations, ditching ‘tick-box’ tourism to reconnect with familiar communities.

What to do in San Francisco in 2020
There’s an abundance of special events coming to the City by the Bay in 2020, according to travel specialist Hills Balfour. A 150ft-tall illuminated observation wheel will light up Golden Gate Park to mark its 150th anniversary; in June, the city will celebrate 50 years of San Francisco Pride with a host of happenings; while a Pavilion and Art Terrace will be added to the Asian Art Museum and become one of the nation’s premiere venues for Asian art.