Tourists are flocking to Liverpool, and Virgil van Dijk knows just why.

Searches for vacations to Liverpool have increased by 100 percent year-on-year as visitors swarm in from the US, Canada, Australia, Norway, and Ireland, leading travel company Expedia to rank Liverpool as one of their ten worldwide trending destinations in their Unpack 2024 guide.

“Traveling is something I’m really enthusiastic about,” Van Dijk stated. Football takes us to a lot of cities, but we never get to fully experience any of them. Whenever I get some downtime, I plan to take my loved ones on an adventure. For that reason, I couldn’t be happier to be collaborating with Expedia; after all, we share the belief that travel is in our blood.

Expedia has appointed Reds captain Van Dijk as their new ambassador in honor of Liverpool’s rising profile. As part of his role, the Dutch defender has compiled an exhaustive travel guide that showcases his favorite spots in the city. These include the legendary Cavern Club, where The Beatles got their start, the renowned Royal Albert Dock, and, of course, Anfield, where he has resided for the past six years.

With the help of his teammates, Van Dijk has compiled a list of the top ten things to do in Liverpool, which includes, among other things, visiting the historic sites and, of course, the football. He has also included the new five-star Municipal Hotel and Spa on Dale Street, the independent eateries and pubs on Lark Lane, and Cains Brewery Village, an immersive cultural, gaming, and artistic experience.

Virgil van Dijk visits Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club

Virgil van Dijk visits Liverpool’s renowned Cavern Club (Image: Expedia)

Van Dijk hopes the book will lead to an increase in travel to Liverpool, and he’s also planning some visits of his own.

“The football calendar is quite busy, but one day I’d like to visit Japan, a nation I’m captivated by. I am also a great admirer of city breaks. “I enjoy exploring new cities and cultures with my family,” he stated.

“I adore many cities, including Amsterdam and Paris, but Liverpool holds a special place in my heart, which is why I’m thrilled to collaborate with Expedia to create my Liverpool travel guide. I hope it benefits future visitors to this wonderful city!”