Travel and Tourism

  • 2. Bangkok slipped to second place, after taking the top spot in 2013, with an 11% decline in visitors to 16.42 million due to the Thai political situation. Narong Sangnak / EPA
    2. Bangkok slipped to second place, after taking the top spot in 2013, with an 11% decline in visitors to 16.42 million due to the Thai political situation. Narong Sangnak / EPA
  • 3. Paris visitors will rise 1.8% to 15.57 million this year and will spend an estimated $17 billion. Jacques Demarthon/ AFP
    3. Paris visitors will rise 1.8% to 15.57 million this year and will spend an estimated $17 billion. Jacques Demarthon/ AFP
  • 4. Singapore's international visitors this year will have a total overnight spend of $14.3 billion, the highest in Asia-Pacific. Roslan Rahman / AFP
    4. Singapore's international visitors this year will have a total overnight spend of $14.3 billion, the highest in Asia-Pacific. Roslan Rahman / AFP
  • 5. Dubai has the highest ratio of 4.8 visitors per resident. Razan Alzayani / The National
    5. Dubai has the highest ratio of 4.8 visitors per resident. Razan Alzayani / The National
  • 6. New York will welcome 11.81 million visitors this year. Michael Loccisano / Getty Images / AFP
    6. New York will welcome 11.81 million visitors this year. Michael Loccisano / Getty Images / AFP
  • 7. Istanbul visitors will spend an average $9.40 overnight. Serra Akcan/ NarPhotos for The National
    7. Istanbul visitors will spend an average $9.40 overnight. Serra Akcan/ NarPhotos for The National
  • 8. Kuala Lumpur is the third most preferred destination in Asia-Pacific with 10.81 million visitors expected to arrive at the Malaysian capital in 2014. Samsul Said / Reuters
    8. Kuala Lumpur is the third most preferred destination in Asia-Pacific with 10.81 million visitors expected to arrive at the Malaysian capital in 2014. Samsul Said / Reuters
  • 9. Hong Kong international tourists will spend an aggregate $8.30 billion this year. Anthony Wallace / AFP
    9. Hong Kong international tourists will spend an aggregate $8.30 billion this year. Anthony Wallace / AFP
  • 10. Seoul visitors staying overnight will spend an average $11.50 this year. Ed Jones / AFP
    10. Seoul visitors staying overnight will spend an average $11.50 this year. Ed Jones / AFP
  • 11. Barcelona will have 7.37 million visitors in 2014, 2.7 percent higher from a year earlier. Virginia Sherwood / Bravo / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
    11. Barcelona will have 7.37 million visitors in 2014, 2.7 percent higher from a year earlier. Virginia Sherwood / Bravo / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
  • 12. Amsterdam visitors staying overnight meanwhile will reach 7.23 million in 2014, and will spend an estimated $4.4 billion. Jerry Lampen / AFP / ANP
    12. Amsterdam visitors staying overnight meanwhile will reach 7.23 million in 2014, and will spend an estimated $4.4 billion. Jerry Lampen / AFP / ANP
  • 13. Milan will welcome 6.8 million visitors this year. Exotica.im / UIG via Getty Images
    13. Milan will welcome 6.8 million visitors this year. Exotica.im / UIG via Getty Images
  • 14. Rome overnight visitors this year will spend $5.6 billion, the fifth highest among European destination cities. Filippo Monteforte / AFP
    14. Rome overnight visitors this year will spend $5.6 billion, the fifth highest among European destination cities. Filippo Monteforte / AFP
  • 15. Taipei overnight visitors will spend an average $10.80 during their stay in the Taiwanese capital. Mandy Cheng / AFP
    15. Taipei overnight visitors will spend an average $10.80 during their stay in the Taiwanese capital. Mandy Cheng / AFP
  • 16. Shanghai will have 6.09 million overnight international visitors this year. Mark Ralston / AFP
    16. Shanghai will have 6.09 million overnight international visitors this year. Mark Ralston / AFP
  • 17. Vienna international overnight visitors will spend a total $5.6 billion this year. Alexander Klein / AFP
    17. Vienna international overnight visitors will spend a total $5.6 billion this year. Alexander Klein / AFP
  • 18 Riyadh will have 5.6 millon international overnight visitors this year, second highest after Dubai. Waseem Obaidi for The National
    18 Riyadh will have 5.6 millon international overnight visitors this year, second highest after Dubai. Waseem Obaidi for The National
  • 19. Tokyo international overnight visitors will reach 5.4 million this year, 6.5 per cent higher than 2013. Kimimasa Mayama / EPA
    19. Tokyo international overnight visitors will reach 5.4 million this year, 6.5 per cent higher than 2013. Kimimasa Mayama / EPA
  • 20 LIma is the top ranked destination city in Latin America with 5.11 million international visitors this year. Martin Bernetti / AFP
    20 LIma is the top ranked destination city in Latin America with 5.11 million international visitors this year. Martin Bernetti / AFP

In pictures: The top 20 global destination cities in 2014 by MasterCard

Liz Claus

July 09, 2014

Dubai jumped two places to rank fifth in the annual MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, which surveyed 132 cities. Know the top 20 go-to cities for tourists in 2014.

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