Most visited cities around the world in 2017

For the first time ever, Euromonitor International’s highly anticipated Top 100 City Destinations Ranking was presented at the World Travel Market event in London on November 7, 2017. This year’s report incorporates WTM Global Travel Trends to give further insight on how city destinations are at the forefront of tourism growth and innovation and how travel trends are borne out of the opportunities and challenges that cities face.

Top cities for international tourists

1. Hong Kong: 26.55 million in 2016; 25.7 million expected in 2017 (-3.2% growth).

2. Bangkok: 21.25 million in 2016; 23.27 expected in 2017 (9.5% growth).

3. London: 19.19 million in 2016; 19.8 expected in 2017 (3.4% growth).

4. Singapore: 16.6 million in 2016; 17.6 million expected in 2017 (3.4% growth).

5. Macau: 15.39 million in 2016; 16.3 million expected in 2017 (5.9% growth).

6. Dubai: 14.9 million in 2016; 16.57 million expected in 2017 (11.2% growth).

7. Paris: 14.39 million in 2016; 14.26 million expected in 2017 (-0.9% growth).

8. New York City: 12.65 million in 2016; 13.1 million expected in 2017 (3.6% growth).

9. Shenzhen, China: 12.57 million in 2016; 12.96 million expected in 2017 (3.1% growth).

10. Kuala Lumpur: 12.29 million in 2016; 12.8 million expected in 2017 (4.5% growth).

11. Phuket, Thailand: 10.6 million in 2016; 12 million expected in 2017 (14% growth).

12. Rome: 9.4 million in 2016; 9.6 million expected in 2017 (1.8% growth).

13. Tokyo: 9.27 million in 2016; 9.7 million expected in 2017 (4.8% growth).

14. Taipei: 9.2 million in 2016; 9.3 million expected in 2017 (1% growth).

15. Istanbul: 9.17 million in 2016; 8.6 million expected in 2016 (-5.8% growth).

16. Seoul: 9 million in 2016; 7.66 million expected in 2017 (-14.9% growth).

17. Guangzhou, China: 8.6 million in 2016; 9 million expected in 2017 (5.3% growth).

18. Prague: 8.18 million in 2016; 8.5 million expected in 2017 (4.5% growth).

19. Mecca, Saudi Arabia: 7.96 million in 2016; 8.7 million expected in 2017 (9.8% growth).

20. Miami, Florida: 7.8 million in 2016; 8 million in 2017 (3.1% growth).

21. Delhi, India: 7.4 million in 2016; 10.26 million expected in 2017 (37.7% growth).

22. Mumbai, India: 7.19 million in 2016; 8.9 million expected in 2017 (23.5% growth).

23. Barcelona, Spain: 7.04 million in 2016; 7.6 million expected in 2017 (8.3% growth).

24. Pattaya, Thailand: 7.02 million in 2016; 7.3 million expected in 2017 (4.2% growth).

25. Shanghai: 6.9 million in 2016; 7.2 million expected in 2017 (4.3% growth).

Euromonitor International’s report drills down into the detail of the figures to highlight why some cities are performing better than others and how emerging trends are going to re-shape the travel industry and disrupt the ranking up to 2025

Asia

To ensure continued arrivals growth and sustainable expansion, Asia cities are streaming ahead with initiatives to become smart cities. A big step towards as “smarter” society and economy is the growth of digital payment facilities. Cryptocurrencies are here to stay. The impact on the travel industry could be immense, not only in the way people travel, but also by simplifying smart contracts.

Europe

While overcrowding represents a key issue in many European cities, there is a growing drive amongst start-ups in Europe to address other pain points in travel. Some of the largest start-ups in travel originate from the US. However, the US is increasingly competing with European hubs for start-up talents and investment.

America

As part of his policy to tighten border control, US President Donald Trump has ordered increased speed in implementing biometric scanners at airports. The travel industry is not only looking at the face to merely identify a traveler, but also to tell travel players what it wants, through speech and emotion. Voice is widely lauded as the latest frontier, which would have big implications for travel.

Middle East and Africa

Performance in the Middle East and Africa has fluctuated greatly due to unrest in many countries. However, 2017 is expected to be a good year across the board. Dubai seems insulated from all the turmoil that is going on around it. The city’s tourism industry is booking and is adopting new technologies at rapid pace. Johannesburg is the only Sub-Saharan Africa city in the ranking. However, tourism is considered a pillar of its economic growth strategy and the city is investing heavily in technology.

[Top City Destinations Ranking]

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