Now in its fourth year, MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index provides an annual ranking of 132 of the most important destination cities in the world. Based on existing trends and statistical data, the index accurately predicts visitor numbers and annual spend. Explore 2014’s 10 most visited cities below.
1. London, United Kingdom
Annual visitors: 18.6 million
Annual spend: US $19.2 billion
Most visited attraction: British Museum
Thanks to its cultural hotspots, vibrant culinary scene and quintessential heritage, London has long been the destination of choice for city-loving tourists the world over. Reclaiming the number one spot from Bangkok, which topped the list in 2013, the pricey English capital has unsurprisingly amassed the highest annual spend per visitor, totalling an incredible $19.2 billion.
2. Bangkok, Thailand
Annual visitors: 16.4 million
Annual spend: US $13.04 billion
Most visited attraction: Wat Arun
Dropping to number two this year thanks to Thailand’s political unrest, Bangkok still ranks as one of the most popular cities in the world. However, despite attracting an incredibly high number of visitors, the bustling capital ranks poorly when it comes to capitalising on its plentiful tourists, achieving an average overnight spend of just $13 per person, down 17% from the previous year.
3. Paris, France
Annual visitors: 15.5 million
Annual spend: US $17.02 billion
Most visited attraction: Notre Dame Cathedral
From the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame Cathedral, the city of love is saturated with iconic cultural structures representing more than a capital. It is no surprise, therefore, that Paris has once again featured as the third most visited city in the world. Showing a steady increase in tourists since 2010, the French capital looks set to remain a permanent fixture on the ‘most visited’ list.
4. Singapore
Annual visitors: 12.4 million
Annual spend: US $14.34 billion
Most visited attraction: Singapore Zoo
When it comes to annual visitors, the futuristic city-state of Singapore certainly lives up to the mantra “Onward, Singapore”. Apart from Istanbul, the city has shown the biggest growth in visitor numbers of any of the top 10 cities, improving from 8.8 million in 2010 to 12.4 million this year. Unsurprisingly, Singapore’s famous zoo features as its most visited attraction, welcoming 1.6 million tourists through its doors annually.
5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Annual visitors: 11.9 million
Annual spend: US $10.95 billion
Most visited attraction: Burj Khalifa
Boasting the highest ratio of visitors to residents on our list, Dubai is easily the most popular city in the Middle East and Africa, outstripping second place Riyadh by some 6.5 million visitors a year. In fact, at its current rate of growth the emirate state could overtake both Paris and Singapore within five years, becoming the third most visited city by 2019 – two years before it hosts World Expo 2020.
6. New York City, USA
Annual visitors: 11.8 million
Annual spend: US $18.57 billion
Most visited attraction: Times Square
Although New York City falls short of Dubai’s annual visitor numbers, the Big Apple far outstrips its Middle Eastern counterpart when it comes to yearly spend. Amassing $18.57 billion from tourists in 2014, New York is second only to London in terms of annual takings. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the city also ranks in the top 10 most expensive hotel cities in the world.
7. Istanbul, Turkey
Annual visitors: 11.6 million
Annual spend: US $9.38 billion
Most visited attraction: Grand Bazaar
With 55% of its visitors coming from outside Europe, Istanbul boasts the most diverse international appeal of any city on our list. It’s also the fastest growing. Both its visitor numbers and annual takings have increased by an incredible 17.5% in just 12 months, taking the Turkish municipality to within a hair’s breadth of New York City. With 15 million visitors annually, the Grand Bazaar is its most popular attraction, ranking at No. 11 in the world.
8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Annual visitors: 10.8 million
Annual spend: US $8.08 billion
Most visited attraction: Petronas Twin Towers
Thanks to its cultural diversity, plentiful retail options and relatively low costs, Kuala Lumpur welcomes millions of tourists to its bustling metropolitan hub every year. Currently ranked as the eighth most visited city in the world, K.L. has seen a 13% growth in visitors over the last year, while annual spend has swelled by a significant 10%.
9. Hong Kong, China
Annual visitors: 8.8 million
Annual spend: US $8.28 billion
Most visited attraction: Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront
Despite being one of the most densely populated areas on earth, Hong Kong manages to squeeze an additional 8.8 million visitors between its towering skyscrapers and deep natural port every year. The city has shown slow but steady growth since 2010 and has managed to widen its gap on Seoul by 200,000 annual visits.
10. Seoul, South Korea
Annual visitors: 8.6 million
Annual spend: US $11.51 billion
Most visited attraction: Gyeongbokgung Palace
In at number 10 – with 8.6 million visitors – is the South Korean capital. Despite occupying the ultimate place on our visitor list, Seoul ranks sixth when it comes to tourist expenditure, amassing an impressive $11.5 billion per year. With the tongue-twisting Gyeongbokgung Palace as its most visited attraction, there are few more authentic destinations in which to truly immerse yourself in Asian culture.
