I imagine budget cuts are coming, so that's factored into the analysis below.
I do agree Philippines is highly overdue, and we'll be seeing two legs there next season, perhaps as the starting country. In recent years, the location of the final leg determines the route direction (westward or eastward) of the race. Since TAR 13, only 14, 16, 17, 20, and 23 traversed eastward because the finales were in Alaska, Hawaii, or the West Coast. The odds are favoring a Midwest/East Coast finish.
Other countries I'm favoring: 2 legs in India (classic destination that hasn't been featured in a while). Bangkok is a good transit point and it's been a while since Thailand, so let's add that in. 5 legs in Asia, which is good enough already.
Europe would be 4 legs. Rule out UK, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Norway, Austria, Norway. This leaves France as a probable penultimate leg, a possible leg in Germany right before, and two other legs somewhere away from Western Europe. The Baltics are probably nice this time of the year.
In addition to Europe and Asia, two legs in Africa are likely if TAR doesn't want to lose further favor with its audience. They can be anywhere where there isn't unrest going on. I would strongly consider the duo of Durban/Cape Town if I were the producers, though I still hope for a new country at some point before TAR goes off the air...
Lastly, I wouldn't mind if TAR only had 10 teams per race and the first leg was always TBC/NEL. The 11th team usually doesn't make an impression, and it's an easy way to reduce costs. With the way casting is going lately, fewer teams is probably better.
