March 9, 2018
Bangkok leads the list of the Top Ten World’s most visited cities (2017 data). It remains the most popular choice for overnight travelers and beats out London and Paris.
Euromonitor says the performances of European cities have been affected by recent events such as the Eurozone crisis, the influx of refugees, Brexit and terrorist attacks.
But tourist magnets such as London and Paris remain resilient. And some destinations in Greece, Italy and Spain saw growth during 2016 as a result of unrest in the Middle East and North Africa.
Despite suffering terror attacks and the political turbulence around Brexit, London was Europe’s most visited city in 2016 with 19.2 million visitors.
In fact, a weaker pound as a result of the Brexit vote has helped attract more visitors to the UK.
In the longer term, though, the outlook for London is more gloomy, with Euromonitor predicting a slide to sixth place by 2025 as tourism rises faster in Asian cities.
Bangkok: 21.5 million
Bangkok offers the best value-for-money destination for the widest variety of visitors; luxury holiday seekers, budget tourists, business travelers, honeymoon seekers, and entertainment seekers…there is plenty for every segment. Bangkok offers an excellent balance between traditional and contemporary hospitality infrastructure and all at affordable price points. That’s the reason Bangkok beats London, Paris and other popular tourist destinations as the most visited city.
London: 19.9 million
Possibly the most cosmopolitan of all international tourist destinations, London has remained a favorite destination for holidaymakers and business travelers, alike. London’s rich heritage, excellent hospitality infrastructure and wide options for entertainment, makes it the most popular choice for many travelers. All of London’s airports remain busy through the year, as the city continues to host events that attract international visitors for business and entertainment.
Paris: 18.0 million
Paris tops the list as the most romantic city in the world which seems to nurture love like no other city. Paris remains the cultural, artistic, and fashion capital of the world and continues to host the most sought-after events in every category. The city remains a favorite with premium travelers and can be quite expensive for those on a budget. Still, the city has so much to offer for every type of visitor that one could spend the longest time in the city and still not get to see all of it.
Dubai: 15.3 million
Dubai continues to grow in popularity and attract the maximum visitors to any city in the Middle East. Dubai offers the best of its traditional past along with the most contemporary hospitality options. The city has always been a vital trading hub in the Middle East, but in recent years, it has emerged as a major center for financial services, technology, and entertainment. All of which continue to attract travelers from across the world.
New York City: 12.8 million
The gateway to America remains popular for all kinds of travelers as the city has so much to offer. A city that never sleeps remains busy with activity in business, entertainment, investment, art, creativity, culture, science, and technology. Name it, and the city has something of interest to offer.
Singapore: 12.1 million
The most popular city in South East Asia after Bangkok, Singapore remains a business and holiday favorite to many. The city balances discipline with traditional warmth, all wrapped professionally in the modern way of life. The city leads in creative technology, healthcare, financial, trading, and entertainment services. Despite its small size, the city demonstrates how efficient planning and execution can optimize resources for maximum benefit. The city keeps evolving and ensures it remains a popular destination.
Kuala Lumpur: 12.0 million
Kuala Lumpur is giving stiff competition to Singapore as a popular and emerging destination city in South East Asia. The city has left behind the economic crisis of the 90s and today offers excellent infrastructure for business and holidaymakers. The Petronas Towers and the Kuala Lumpur Tower stand as popular symbols of modernity, while Istana Negara and Sultan Abdul Samad Building offer a glimpse into its rich past.
Istanbul: 12.0 million
The fascinating city that connects the east with the west has remained popular for centuries, and last year was no different. Twelve million visitors are ample proof of Istanbul’s steadfast popularity. With its unique location and a wide variety of historical and entertainment options, Istanbul offers an excellent value-for-money destination for European travelers looking for an affordable holiday. The Grand Bazaar, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the night entertainment, and Taksim Square, all compete for the traveler’s attention. Amongst heritage cities, Istanbul remains the most popular.
Tokyo: 11.7 million
The bustling capital city of Japan continues to remain the top draw for international travelers. Tokyo is expensive but is also a great place to experience the best of technology and efficiency, blended with traditional hospitality and warmth. No wonder the Chinese have emerged as the largest tourist segment for the Japanese and no one is complaining. It’s a city where the Sumo wrestler displays speed, strength, and skill, and competes for attention with gentle charm and dexterity offered by a traditional Japanese Tea ceremony. There is no city like Tokyo, that’s why 11.7 million people headed there in 2017.
Seoul: 10.2 million
Seoul is a city where technology and innovation have become a part of life. The city competes with Tokyo and Shanghai for excellence in technology, but visitors come here for more than just technology. Seoul’s young generations are dancing away to K-Pop while the holidaymakers arrive here to experience and join the pulsating life in this wonderful modern city.