Interesting to read your responses!
It appears that convenience is a greater factor overall than I had expected. Of course it is a factor for me too, that's why in more juvenile years I was mostly "confined" to Europe, and so The Inspiration had to deal with that :-) But also now I find some destinations a little difficult to achieve (e.g. Polynesia). Anyway, I tend to put it at second place and trying to optimise economic factors after I choose a place to go.
We also all seem quite reluctant to revisit places we have already been, and this was to be expected! ;-) I also choose always new countires as destinations, even if I wouldn't mind going back to a place 15-20 years after the last time, or even more. But, even if I don't like the idea too much at first, sometimes even unknown regions of an already visited countries can qualify as totally new destinations for me too, for example, wouldn't mind going to Bayern even if I visited many other parts of Germany quite extensively.
csarica:
Scientific congresses.
Wow, do you find such an ample choice of venues? In my field I got the impression that most congresses take place in "boring" locations, more or less always the same ones. To this I add that right now my institution surely would not found me a trip to more exotic ones like Japan or North America, unfortunately... But I also tack on some days of travelling on the occasions I go (of course, the last 1,5 year has been horrible under that regard...), even if, again, it is always a struggle with the institution in justifying "strange" and delayed return trips. A thing which really angers me (since I do not profit of funds for private reasons in any way).
clyde:
There were a couple of random choices here and there simply out of curiosity and non-WHS related (ex. Myanmar or Costa Rica; in the latter I picked up my interest in birdwatching too). Then there are those getaway beach destinations too (ex. Maldives, Seychelles, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, etc.).
Oh, I made a similar choice for Myanmar too, and I count it as my best travel experience so far, an incredible journey. I think it is one of the best possible bets (when it is possible to go there...): it is such a culturally, historically and naturally rich place that its sites have not become WHSs yet only because of political reasons (just think of Bagan!!!). I'm sure it will give us some "home ticks" in the future... ;-)
nfmungard:
Nowadays though I plan from the top sites (places I want to go) and the logistics are a means to an end. E.g. I went to New Zealand and scored only 2 WHS in 2 weeks. But... I combined my goal (New Zealand) with a few layovers here and there (Singapore, Sydney, China), so total number wasn't too bad. Or if I make it to Jerusalem, rest assured that Israel will be fully ticked. ;)
I think we have quite a similar starting approach! Though if probably I tend more to adapt to the WHSs that I find on the destination rather than the other way round, even if WHSs surely are catalysts of an Inspiration. I also know I am a slow visitor, so I plan accordingly to not get too much stress!
carmendavid:
After several years of picking places here and there, in 2019 I made my 'essential list within budget'. The plan was to travel intensively outside of Europe for a few years and 2020 saw a lot of tickets booked in January and then cancelled one after the other.
I also started 2020 boldly planning lots of smaller and greater destinations as never before, and then
boom :-|
* * *
Anyway, as I stated I tried out this
random country generator (hey, with handy country's continent displayed "due to a common lack of geographical knowledge"!) to see where I am headed in... some future, and here are the results (I didn't consider WHSless or already visited places):
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Dominican Republic - hm, definitely not on my list, so all the better. Just one WHS and a handful of apparently doubtful (at least according to Zoe, who reviewed lots of them) TWHSs
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Thailand - definitely a classic, I am curious to return in the area after having met so many travellers in Myanmar praising Thailand
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Nigeria - I have sometimes wondered what Nigeria has to offer and am particularly attracted by the sacred grove of Osun-Osogbo, but as unfortunately it looks like a quite dangerous destination right now, I also drew a bonus country, and it is...
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Colombia! Which seems to be quite appreciated by members of this site!