Tengrinews.kz - The top most popular cities for travel in 2024 have been named.
The international analytical company Euromonitor International has published its annual Top 100 City Destinations rating for 2024, which includes the most attractive cities in the world for travelers. For the fourth year in a row, Paris tops this list, remaining the leader in a number of indicators.
How is the rating compiled?
The ranking is based on an analysis of 55 different metrics, grouped into six key areas:
economic and business development;tourism indicators;tourism infrastructure;tourism policy and attractiveness;health and safety;sustainable development.
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Top 10 best cities in the world
In 2024, six European cities made it into the top ten, confirming Europe’s dominance on the global tourism map.
1st place: Paris — maintains its leadership thanks to its developed infrastructure, cultural attractions, and sustainable approaches to tourism;2nd place: Madrid — strengthens its position as a center of art and gastronomy;3rd place: Tokyo — continues to attract visitors with its unique blend of tradition and modern technology;4th place: Rome — consistently popular due to its historical heritage;5th place: Milan — a combination of fashion, design, and cultural events makes it one of the most sought-after destinations.
Barcelona, London, Bangkok, Dubai, and Singapore also made it into the top 10.
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Travel trends
As noted by the expert from Euromonitor International, the tourism industry continues to recover from the pandemic. In 2024, the global volume of international trips increased by 19 percent, reaching 793 million trips in Europe alone.
However, the industry faces a number of challenges, such as labor shortages, geopolitical tensions, and economic instability. At the same time, experts highlighted interest in lesser-known and third-tier destinations. Tourists are increasingly choosing hidden gems, off-season travel, and focusing on sustainable tourism.
Despite the dominance of European cities in the ranking, Bangkok leads in terms of international travel in 2024. The Asian metropolis welcomed 32 million visitors, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
By 2030, experts predict that the average spending per tourist will increase, reaching $1264 (about 665 thousand tenge) per trip. The leaders in terms of spending growth will be the Netherlands, China, and Poland. Cities are actively using sports and cultural events to attract tourists, and are also introducing innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence to cope with the challenges of over-tourism.
What does the future hold for tourism?
In response to growing concerns about over-tourism, the study says, cities are introducing additional taxes and fees, promoting year-round tourism, and encouraging green initiatives. These measures are helping to develop the tourism industry in a more balanced and sustainable way.
According to the report, Europe continues to lead the global tourism industry with nine cities in the top 20, followed by Asia Pacific and North America.
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