Unveiling the Hottest City Destinations of 2023 Across the Globe
Discover the most coveted city destinations for 2023! Unveiling the top 100, this remarkable report highlights one continent's unrivaled tourism prowess Istanbul reigns as the ultimate magnet for international visitors, captivating hearts and minds alike
Paris has once again been crowned as the most alluring city destination in the world, as revealed by an annual report from the global market research company Euromonitor International. Don't miss out on the latest travel news by signing up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel's weekly newsletter.
The 2023 Top 100 City Destinations Index, created in collaboration with data company Lighthouse, evaluated major cities worldwide based on factors such as tourism, sustainability, economic success, and health and safety, resulting in a ranking. Europe dominated the list, with seven out of the top 10 cities and 63 countries in the top 100. The only non-European cities in the top 10 were Dubai at No. 2, Tokyo at No. 4, and New York at No. 8.
Madrid placed third, with Amsterdam, Berlin, and Rome taking the 5th, 6th, and 7th spots. Barcelona and then London completed the top 10.
Asia had a strong showing in the top 20, with Singapore at 11th, Seoul at 14th, Osaka at 16th, and Hong Kong at 17th.
Europe's success in the report is credited to "rapid urbanization and extensive adoption of technology." Modern travelers are seeking fast internet, flexible booking amenities, and remote workspaces. Euromonitor International noted that cities are now focusing on enhancing sustainability, transportation systems, and social impact to boost competitiveness, enhance tourism, and offer a more seamless customer experience.
Tokyo made it into the top 10 for the first time, with the report attributing this to enhanced tourism infrastructure, relaxed Covid-19 regulations, and a weakened Yen, which offers international visitors excellent value for their money.
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Istanbul had the most international visitors in 2023
The top 100 saw the addition of four new cities, all of which have displayed improved tourism performance this year: Washington DC at No. 48, Montreal at No. 68, Santiago at No. 88, and Vilnius at No. 92.
International travel is showing a robust resurgence, with an estimated 1.3 billion trips expected by the close of 2023, resulting in approximately $1.7 trillion in worldwide tourism expenditure.
International arrivals to London are up 17% in 2023.
Alexander Spatari/Moment RF/Getty Images
In 2023, Istanbul was the leader in international arrivals, followed by London and Dubai. The cities experiencing the most significant year-on-year growth were Hong Kong (2,495%) and Bangkok (142%), as they were among the last to reopen after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, the surge in visitor numbers can have adverse effects on local communities and the environment. Nadejda Popova, a senior manager at Euromonitor International, addressed the issue of overtourism and how cities are confronting this challenge.
"Some destinations are implementing restrictions, higher taxes, or reducing hotel capacity to control the number of tourists and protect their cultural heritage, while others are promoting alternative or off-the-beaten-path destinations," she explained.
She anticipates that increasing living costs, fluctuating inflation, and geopolitical uncertainties will pose the most significant challenges for tourism growth in 2024 and 2025. Consumers will seek travel options that offer good value for their money, and many will opt for vacations closer to home.
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Euromonitors Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023 reveals the top 20 cities:
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
