To come up with its second annual list of the most visited cities in the world, MasterCard followed the money. Their Global Destination Cities Index for 2012 ranks Istanbul as the fastest growing destination, putting it #5 on the list after London, Paris, Bangkok and Singapore.
“Despite sluggish economic growth around the world, the number of people traveling abroad continues to increase,” the report states. London leads the world in the two key criteria MasterCard considered: as both the most popular destination city for overseas travelers, and in the average amount each visitor spends. Whether drawn by business or as tourists, London’s visitors from New York are the ones that travel the furthest and spend the most.
New York still ranks second by visitor spending (after London), which may explain all the foreign languages one hears while shopping at the Gap.
In the Asia/Pacific region, Bangkok leads in the total number of visitors and visitor spending and is expected to displace Paris as the third-ranking city by visitor spending. Dubai retains its rank as #1 of the top 10 destination cities in the Middle East and Africa.
Glitz trumps history in the People’s Republic of China, with Shanghai ahead of Beijing by five ranks. And though to many minds Barcelona outcharms Madrid, Spain’s capital remains the more popular destination.
Although Rome hasn’t lost any of its charm, it has slipped in popularity as a tourist destination, falling below Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt and Dubai. Perhaps economic forces are at play.
London
London In the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, London leads the world as both the most popular destination city for overseas travelers, and in the average amount each visitor spends. Whether drawn by business or as tourists, London's visitors from New York are the ones that travel the furthest and spend the most. Shown here: Houses of Parliament and Lambert Bridge.
Paris retains its second-place rank, but has seen a decline of 0.6% in its visitor numbers, with 16 million expected to visit this year. It remains a shopping haven, though, with visitors expected to spend $17.8 billion there.
Bangkok
Wat Arun on theChao Phraya River is a world-famous landmark of Bangkok, which is expected to get 12.2 million visitors this year.Thailand's capital leads the Asia/Pacific region in the total number of visitors and visitor spending and is expected to displace Paris as the third-ranking city by visitor spending.
Singapore
With a population of less than 5 million, Singapore expects 11.8 million visitors this year. Although it is a melting pot of cultures, including Indian, Chinese and Malay, English is the dominant language, and Westerners do not tend to experience the culture shock there that occurs elsewhere in the region.
Istanbul
As a travel destination, Istanbul is a rising star, with sights like the Hagia Sophia mosque shown here. The number of visitors rose by 14.7%, and it moved up one rank as a popular destination since last year, displacing Hong Kong. It also has the highest growth rate in visitor spending — an impressive 20.7%
Hong Kong
Its majestic harbor beckons, with 11.1 million visitors expected this year, but visitor spending in Hong Kong has declined by one rank.
Madrid
Its architecture and museums make Madrid #4 of top European destination cities (after London, Paris and Istabul), and #7 worldwide. Shown here: Cibeles Fountain.
Dubai
Sometimes called the shopping capital of the Middle East, Dubai has displaced Rome as the eighth most visited city in the world. It also retains its rank as number one of the top 10 destination cities in the Middle East and Africa.
Frankfurt
This city shows growth in both the number of visitors and what they are expected to spend. With 8.1 million visitors expected this year, it's #5 in Europe's top 10 destination cities for international travelers.
Kuala Lumpur
A construction boom has altered the cityscape of the downtown area of Kuala Lumpur, capital city of Malaysia. It expects 8.1 million visitors in 2012, making it #4 of the top 10 Asia/Pacific destination cities (after Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong).
Seoul
Being one of the fastest-growing destination cities by visitor numbers pumps money into Seoul's economy. International visitors are expected to spend an estimated $10.6 billion there this year – an increase of 16.2% over last year. It's now #4 in the top 10 Asia/Pacific destination cities by international visitor spending (after Bangkok, Singapore and Sydney).
Rome
It hasn't lost any of its charm, but Rome has slipped in popularity as a tourist destination, falling by four ranks to #12. Are economic forces at play? Either way its rank is now behind Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt and Dubai.
New York
No wonder the lines are so long for the boat to New York's landmark Statue of Liberty. The city will get 7.6 million visitors this year. It retains its spot as #13 on the list, but still ranks second by visitor spending (after London).
Shanghai
Count Shanghai among the new and dynamic destination cities. Once a fishing and textiles town, it's now a major financial center, the showpiece of Asian economic development and is expected to get 7.5 million international visitors this year.
Barcelona
It ranks far behind Madrid popularity with visitors, and remarkably was displaced by Shanghai this year's rankings. But Barcelona still has a devoted following of visitors who admire its old world charm and Gaudi architecture and will lure 7.3 million international travelers this year.
Milan
Though far less visited than Rome, Milan retains its 2011 rank of #16 on the list. Spending the result by 7.1% over last year.
Amsterdam
With its famous Canal Bridge and buildings, Amsterdam, too, holds its own. Among other things, it's important hub city for travel to other European destinations.
Vienna
With a rank as #18 unchanged, visitor spending in Vienna is up by 16.3%, making its growth rate the second highest after Istanbul.
Beijing
For all its tourist attractions-- including the Great Wall and the Tiananmen Square--Beijing remains five behind Shanghai in the rankings, though unchanged in its 2011 position. Still, the growth rate in visitors is 14.7%.
Taipei
The capital of the Republic of China, Taipei ranks #20 in the number of visitors, but #13 in spending, with growth of 20.5% over last year.
Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2012/06/20/the-most-popular-cities-in-the-world-to-visit-in-2012/
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