It’s finally summer! Time to break out the barbecue grills and the beach towels, but no one should forget how much importance the tourism industry places on this time of year. According to the World Tourism Organization, even in the face of safety and security challenges, 46 million more tourists travelled internationally in 2016 vs. the previous year. The total number – 1.235 billion- is only expected to get better this year when the results of a Panel of Experts survey was analyzed. So what does this have to do with social engagement?

Social engagement is the prism through which consumers relay their experiences. Therefore, it only makes sense that, as tourism heats up, social engagement and social affinities for these attractions will also increase year-over-year. Here is a sample of the most visited international tourist attractions, as compiled by Travel + Leisure and HuffPost along with the increase year-over-year in each attraction’s top non-travel social affinity:

• Times Square, New York City
  • Top Affinity: Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
  • Increase in Social Affinity YOY: +13%
• Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
  • Top Affinity: Wimp.com
  • Increase in Social Affinity YOY: +24%
• Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
  • Top Affinity: The New York Times Science
  • Increase in Social Affinity YOY: +4%
• Universal Studios Hollywood
  • Top Affinity: Toy Story (Franchise)
  • Increase in Social Affinity YOY: +2%