In pictures: MasterCard's top global destination cities

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  Barcelona recovered from a contraction in visitor spending last year, as this year showed an estimated growth rate of 4.7 per cent. Albert Gea / Reuters

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  Dubai showed the strongest growth in increasing tourist arrivals by 10.9 per cent. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Hong Kong has a lower rank in spending than its rank of arrivals, suggesting visitors either stay for a shorter period or spend less, or both. Philippe Lopez / AFP

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  Istanbul showed the strongest growth among top destination cities with a 9.5 per cent increase in international visitor arrivals. Osman Orsal / Reuters

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  London continues to rank first in Europe in international visitor arrivals. Above, St Paul's cathedral in London. Stefan Wermuth / Reuters

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  Paris is one of MasterCard's Priceless Cities, attracting not only international visitor arrivals but residents as well. Above, the Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Bertrand Guay / AFP

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  Singapore is another MasterCard Priceless City and ranked fourth in this year's destination index. Air travel connectivity has improved in the island state. Munshi Ahmed / Bloomberg News

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  An Asian city - Bangkok, in Thailand - topped the list for the first time. Above, the Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok. Chaiwat Subprasom / Reuters