In December, Euromonitor International published its annual list of Top 100 urban destinations worldwide for 2023. The report compares cities using 55 metrics across six categories, including tourism infrastructure, health and safety, sustainability, tourism performance, and more.
Euromonitor International's analysis also included a ranking of the top 10 global cities based on the number of international arrivals.
“International travel continued to see a strong recovery in 2023 with growth of 38% in terms of the number of trips, which is expected to reach 1.3 billion by the end of the year,” the report said.
New York City was the only destination in the United States to make Euromonitor International's top 10. The Big Apple saw 11 million arrivals, a growth of 24% between 2022 and 2023.
“Consumers are expected to look for value for money travel propositions when booking travel. This, in turn, will drive consumer demand for intra-regional travel, especially as travel purchases are often discretionary”, Nadejda Popova, senior director at Euromonitor International. said of the report's findings. “Travelers will continue to prioritize authentic, local experiences in addition to sustainable tourism alternatives.”
Istanbul was the city with the most international arrivals in 2023
Istanbul, Turkey, was the top city for international arrivals in 2023. The city welcomed 20.2 million visitors in 2023 – a growth of 26% between 2022 and 2023 – according to the report.
Istanbul recorded the highest number of international arrivals in 2023, according to Euromonitor International.
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The historic center of Istanbul is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to several buildings and structures, such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Walls of Constantinople, etc.
According to National geographic, the best time to visit Istanbul is spring or autumn (April to May and September). The seasons are also less crowded than in summer.
Top 10 cities for international travelers 2023
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- London, United Kingdom
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Antalya, Türkiye
- Paris, France
- Hong Kong
- Bangkok, Thailand
- New York, United States
- Cancun, Mexico
- Mecca, Saudi Arabia
London is in second place with 18.8 million international arrivals in 2023. The capital of England saw 17% year-on-year growth in visitor numbers between 2022 and 2023.
In the report, London was highlighted as having the best tourism infrastructure in the world. Several groups, including Park Hyatt, Oberoi and Mandarin Oriental, are considering opening new hotels in the city, according to CNBC.
London was the second most visited city in the world in 2023, according to Euromonitor International.
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London is home to several renowned higher education institutions, including Imperial College and the London School of Economics.
The city is the most visited in Europe and has several monuments, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and the Tower of London.
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