These Are the World's Most Popular City Destinations.
According to the Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index has ranked Bangkok as the No. 1 destination for the fourth consecutive year, with more than 22 million international overnight visitors.
Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index ranks 200 cities based on analysis of total international overnight visitor arrivals and spending data. Click Here to read More. ( pdf file from an external website, mastercard.com )
International overnight visitors are the number of tourists who travel to a country other than that in which they have their usual residence, but outside their usual environment, for a period not exceeding 12 months.
1
Bangkok,
Thailand, 22.78
million international visitors.
A visit to Bangkok is a must as this city has a unique blend of old and new world attractions to keep visitors both enlightened and intrigued.
Attractions: The Grand Palace. Some of the most beautiful temples include: Wat Arun, the Temple of the golden Buddha, and Wat Suthat. Shop by Boat at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. The best street market food can be found on Khao San Road, don’t miss this explosive flavor of tasty street food.
2
Paris,
France, 19.10 million international visitors.
Paris is a place where romance and history play side by side. Cafés line cobblestone streets, beautiful people stroll along the Seine at all hours, and every neighborhood seems to have its own iconic landmark, be it the Notre Dame, Sacré-Coeur, Eiffel Tower, or The Louvre, The Champs-Élysées ? Who wouldn't be charmed by this amazing city? Paris is built on romance and people come from all other the world for a nice romantic getaway, to pop the question to their other half or for a sweet honeymoon. It's not just the romance that attracts people to this city. French food is amazing and in Paris you can eat like you've never eaten before. Be sure to start the day with a warm and fresh croissant and a French coffee and to finish the day off with a glass of fine French wine and some tasty cheese.
3
London, England, 19.09 million international visitors.
is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, with history (Westminster Abbey) and models of modernity (London Eye, The Gherkin) mingling on the Thames. The city has a theatre scene that attracts the world's best acting talent in addition to also having some very cool bars and restaurants. England is one of the few remaining countries that has a royal family and you can visit Queen's home, Buckingham Palace. It is one of the world's few remaining royal working places and it opens its doors to the public every summer. The city is a place that is rich in culture and history and it boasts some of the world's best museums and galleries in the world and most of them are free! If you consider yourself to be a nature lover and spending time outside is more your thing then check out one of the many calm and peaceful outdoor places such as Hyde Park and Richmond Park.
4
Dubai,
UAE, 15.93 million international visitors.
Dubai is the most famous state or emirate of UAE. The skyline of Dubai maps out the unrealistic achievements of this cosmopolitan. From shopping to beach activities to adventurous tasks to blooming flowers in the desert, you and your family are sure to have a spectacular holiday. Dubai roars with luxury anthems. And at the same time it has abundant opportunities for budget travellers.
Attractions: Dubai boasts of world-class hotels, modern architecture, entertainment and dining venues, traditional markets, shopping centres and sporting events. Some of the major tourist attractions in the emirate are the wadis of Hatta, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, which is also the world's only seven-star hotel and Burj Khalifa, which is the world's tallest skyscraper, The Dubai Mall, The Miracle Garden, IMG World of Adventures and Legoland are a few of the pit stops that Dubai has to offer.
Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay
5
Singapore,
Singapore 14.67 million international visitors.
Singapore is a superlative city, with elaborate temples, extraordinary gardens, and world-class architecture (check out the candy-colored houses on Koon Seng Road). The beauty here is both natural and man-made, with travelers seeking out the city's tropical jungle in the Botanic Garden and the wild, technicolor Gardens by the Bay. As an added bonus, you can reach everything via some of the cleanest streets and subways we've ever seen.
6
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, 13.79 million international visitors.
Kuala Lumpur is a city where a variety of cultures are all infused into one melting pot to offer a unique experience to visitors. Where else can you savour the meanest street food with one of the world's most iconic structures in the background? KL is definitely a place where everyday fun and world-class sophistication meet to create a unique destination for travellers, filled with Malaysian charm and friendliness. Kuala Lumpur, the main gateway to Malaysia has a variety of attractions ranging from culture, heritage & places of interest, shopping, entertainment, nature & adventure, luxury travel, sports, business & events, medical & wellness, and education all showcases the city’s contrasts and diversity. This is what makes KL distinctive and the city’s identity was built on its history, people and tradition in the arts and culture.
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
7
New York,
United States, 13.60 million international visitors.
New York's beauty is multi-sensory: It's the historic architecture, from the Flatiron Building to One World Trade Center. It's the feel of grass beneath your feet (and the smell of roasted nuts) in Central Park. It's the art of the Met, MoMa, and Frick. But most of all, it's the sight of a diverse set of effortlessly fashionable people walking the city streets with heads held high.
Photo by Engin Yapici on Unsplash
8
Istanbul,
Turkey, 13.40 million international visitors.
Istanbul continues to draw us in, whether it's through the frenetic opulence of the Grand Bazaar or the old-meets-new aesthetic of Karaköy. But the architecture still shines brightest here, with the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia featuring prominent displays of both Byzantine and Ottoman styles: Think massive domes, colored mosaics, minarets, and Islamic calligraphy.
9
Tokyo,
Japan, 12.93 million international visitors.
Visiting Japan's imperial capital is like taking a step back in time. Some 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines are ready to entrance visitors, and you might even spot a geisha while strolling the city's leafy, craft shop-lined streets. This city is considered to be one of the world's capitals of dining and it boasts 160,000 restaurants. Be sure to try some real authentic Japanese sushi, Yakitori and Okonomiyaki. The largest electronics store is in a section of Tokyo known for being the center of gadget, video game and anime culture in the city. Tokyo Disneyland, the Imperial Palace and the Tokyo Skytree are also very popular with tourists.
10
Antalya,
Turkey, 12.41 million international visitors.
Antalya is one of Turkey's most attractive tourist cities located on the Mediterranean coast. We have prepared a list of the 10 most stunning attractions in an around Antalya for holiday lovers.
Attractions: Hadrian’s Gate, Old Town (Kaleici), Antalya Museum, Roman Fortress (Hıdırlık Kalesi), Aspendos, Karain Cave (Karain Magarası), and Olympos and the Chimera.
11
Seoul,
South Korea, 11.25 million international visitors.
Bundle up the video game-glow of Tokyo, the food scene of Singapore, and the English-speaking streets of Hong Kong, stretch that out over a sprawl of skyscrapers and village-style neighborhoods, and then cram in a ton of fantastic shopping—and you get Seoul. Within the modern city lie serene pockets of palaces and temples that recall the important history of the Korean peninsula stretching back 700 years. And we certainly can’t complain about that impeccably clean subway system.
12
Osaka,
Japan, 10.14 million international visitors.
Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. It's known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food.
Attractions: Japan’s modern culture comes to life in Osaka, where you’ll enjoy the spa, the theater and, of course, the food. Osaka Castle, Shitennō-ji Temple, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, and The Tempozan Ferris Wheel are some of the famous atrractoins in Osaka.
13
Makkah,
Saudi Arabia, 10.00 million international visitors.
Mecca is Islam’s holiest city, as it’s the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the faith itself. Only Muslims are allowed in the city, with millions arriving for the annual Hajj (pilgrimage). Dating from the 7th century, the central Masjid al-Haram (Sacred Mosque) surrounds the Kaaba, the cloth-covered cubic structure that’s Islam’s most sacred shrine.
Photo by Mike Swigunski on Unsplash
14
Phuket,
Thailand, 9.89million international visitors.
Phuket is a city in the southeast of Phuket Island, Thailand. It is the capital of Phuket province. It is among the world’s finest beach destinations, with fine white sands, nodding palm trees and lively towns. Attractoins: Thalang Road is lined with colorful 19th-century shophouses and Sino-Portuguese buildings. Built in 1903 by a wealthy tin merchant, Baan Chinpracha mansion has Italian floor tiles, shuttered windows and antique furniture. Set in a 1930s manor, the Thai Hua Museum has exhibits on Phuket’s culture and history.
Photo by Sung Shin on Unsplash
15
Pattaya,
Thailand, 9.44 million international visitors.
Pattaya is a city on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 100 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. The city known for its beaches, it’s lined with resort hotels, shopping malls, cabaret bars and 24-hour clubs. Nearby, hillside Wat Phra Yai Temple features an 18m-tall golden Buddha.
Photo by Daryan Shamkhali on Unsplash
16
Milan,
Italy, 9.10 million international visitors.
Milan is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city stands as a global city and a thriving hub for fashion, design, business and media.
Attractions: The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral, Piazza Mercanti, La Scala and the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper,” are few of what the city can offer.
17
Barcelona,
Spain, 9.09 million international visitors.
You can't talk about Barcelona without mentioning Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect who left his mark all over the city. A walk around town leads you through his undulating stonework and ironwork, which include Park Güell and culminate in his unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Família. It's not just about colorful mosaics, though: From the mountains to the beach, the historic to the contemporary, sunny Barcelona pretty much has it all.
Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash
18
Palma de Mallorca,
Spain, 8.82 8.96 million international visitors.
Palma is a resort city and capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca, in the western Mediterranean. Palma de Mallorca is best known for its beaches and bustling modern and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Attractions: The massive Santa María cathedral, a Gothic landmark begun in the 13th century, overlooks the Bay of Palma. The adjacent Almudaina is a Moorish-style Arab fortress converted to a royal residence. West of the city, hilltop Bellver Castle is a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape.
Image by Alit Suarnegara from Pixabay
19
Bali,
Indonesia, 8.26 million international visitors.
Bali is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. The island is known for it is beautiful, with fine white sands, nodding palm trees and the clearest waters imaginable. It is also famous for surfers' paradise! Bali enchants with its dramatic dances and colorful ceremonies, its arts, and crafts, to its luxurious beach resorts and exciting nightlife.
20
Hong Kong,
China, 8.23million international visitors.
Hong Kong is impressive from many angles—beneath the towering skyscrapers, or from a ferry crossing Victoria Harbour—but you can see its finest side from the air. As your flight approaches the city, it feels like the mist parts and reveals a modern paradise, where hilly islands surround a concrete jungle. We'd argue, it's one of the best skylines out there.
