World’s Top City Destinations 2023 Revealed

Paris continues to dazzle on top as it clinches the title of the world's most attractive city destination yet again, as unveiled in the latest annual report by the esteemed global market research company, Euromonitor International.

Selecting the world's best cities involves weighing numerous factors, from theaters and art galleries to local cuisine and green spaces. How does one draw comparisons between the towering skyscrapers of Singapore and the charming, quaint little streets of Rome?

Taking on this challenge, Euromonitor International, in collaboration with the data company Lighthouse, delved into the task. The Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023 thoroughly examined prominent cities across the globe, evaluating and ranking them based on criteria encompassing:

• Tourism
• Sustainability
• Economic Performance
• Health and Safety

Europe dominated with seven out of the top 10 cities and 63 countries securing a spot in the top 100. The sole non-European cities within the top 10 were Dubai at No. 2, Tokyo at No. 4, and New York at No. 8.

Securing the third position was Madrid, followed by Amsterdam, Berlin, and Rome at Nos. 5, 6, and 7, respectively. Barcelona and London concluded the top 10 rankings.

Asia made its mark in the top 20, with Singapore at 11th place, Seoul at 14th, Osaka at 16th, and Hong Kong at 17th, all earning spots on the list.

Europe's triumph, according to the report, can be credited to “fast-paced urbanization and widespread technology adoption.” Presently, travelers seek high-speed internet, flexible booking choices, and places conducive to remote work. Euromonitor International emphasized, “Improving sustainability, transportation networks and social impact are some of the key goals cities are embracing today to increase competitiveness, improve their tourism offer and deliver a seamless customer journey.”

For the first time, Tokyo secured a position in the top 10, attributed to enhanced tourism infrastructure, the relaxation of Covid-19-related regulations, and the weakened Yen, providing international visitors with excellent value for money, as stated in the report.

Istanbul had the most international visitors in 2023

Four newcomers made their debut in the top 100, all celebrating improved tourism performance this year: Washington DC at No. 48, Montreal at No. 68, Santiago at No. 88, and Vilnius at No. 92.

The recovery of international travel remained robust, and it is anticipated that the number of trips will reach 1.3 billion by the end of 2023, contributing approximately $1.7 trillion to global tourism spending.

In 2023, Istanbul claimed the top spot for the highest number of international arrivals, with London and Dubai following suit. Notably, Hong Kong (2,495%) and Bangkok (142%) experienced the most substantial year-on-year growth, attributed to their delayed reopening following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yet, surging visitor numbers can present a double-edged sword, bringing both positive and negative impacts on local communities and the environment. Nadejda Popova, a senior manager at Euromonitor International, addressed in a statement how cities are grappling with the challenge of overtourism.

“Some destinations are imposing restrictions, steep taxation or reduction of hotel capacity to help limit the influx of tourists and preserve cultural heritage, while others embrace dispersion strategies that promote alternative or off-the-beaten-path destinations,” she said.

Anticipating challenges in tourism growth for 2024 and 2025, she foresees that the increasing cost of living, unpredictable inflation, and geopolitical instability will be the major obstacles. Consumers are expected to seek travel options that provide value for money, with many opting for vacations closer to home.

The top 20 cities in Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023 are:

1. Paris, France

2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

3. Madrid, Spain

4. Tokyo, Japan

5. Amsterdam, the Netherlands

6. Berlin, Germany

7. Rome, Italy

8. New York, United States

9. Barcelona, Spain

10. London, United Kingdom

11. Singapore

12. Munich, Germany

13. Milan, Italy

14. Seoul, South Korea

15. Dublin, Ireland

16. Osaka, Japan

17. Hong Kong

18. Vienna, Austria

19. Los Angeles, United States

20. Lisbon, Portugal