Sarah KhanBig city dreamin’: it certainly looks like the bright lights and skyscapes of cities have yet to lose its appeal.
But just which cities across the globe remain firm favourites among globetrotters this year?
According to Mastercard’s annual Global Destination Cities Index, Bangkok is still going strong as the world’s most visited city. Welcoming over 20 million tourists last year, the vibrant city is followed closely by London (19.8 million) and Paris (17.4 million). Other popular metropolises include Dubai, Singapore, and New York, which remain in an otherwise unchanged top 6 in the list.
Out with the Old, In with the New?
It’s worth mentioning that the list has welcomed its share of newcomers in the top 20. This year, destinations like Pattaya, Palma de Mallorca, Mecca, Phuket, and Antalya edged out cities like Prague, Vienna, Shanghai, Amsterdam and Rome from the previous year.
It’s also certainly clear that travel hotspots are incredibly dynamic. Global cities like Madrid, Los Angeles, Beijing and Frankfurt were once in the top 20 only in 2016 – but have now been eclipsed from the list. Even within countries, cities are slowly becoming rivals: Osaka to Tokyo, Phuket to Bangkok.
Curious to know if your favourite city made the list of the world’s most popular cities this 2018? Find out!
The World’s Most Visited Cities in 2018
- Bangkok, 20.05 million
Image Credit: Flickr (Weerakarn Satitniramai)
- London, 19.83 million
Image Credit: Flickr
- Paris, 17.44 million
Image Credit: Flickr
Also Read: 7 Reasons why La Vallée Village, Paris is our holiday shopping haven this Christmas & New Year’s
4. Dubai, 15.79 million
Image Credit: Dubai
5. Singapore, 13.91 million
Image Credit: Singapore
6. New York, 13.13 million
Image Credit: Flickr
7. Kuala Lumpur, 12.58 million
Image Credit: Flickr
8. Tokyo, 11.93 million
Image Credit: Tokyo
9. Istanbul, 10.7 million
Image Credit: Flickr
10. Seoul, 9.54 million
Image Credit: Flickr
11. Antalya 9.42 million
Image Credit: Flickr
12. Phuket, 9.29 million
Image Credit: Phuket
13. Mecca, 9.18 million
Image Credit: Flickr
14. Hong Kong, 9.03 million
Image Credit: Flickr
Also Read: Be Close to the Action! 5 Best Areas to Stay in Hong Kong for Food & Shopping
15. Milan, 8.81 million
Image Credit: Flickr
16. Palma de Mallorca, 8.78 million
Image Credit: Flickr
17. Barcelona, 8.69 million
Image Credit: Flickr
18. Pattaya, 8.67 million
Image Credit: Flickr
19. Osaka, 8.42 million
Image Credit: Flickr
20. Bali 8.3 million
Image Credit: Flickr
