The most visited city in the world has been revealed, and it’s not London or Paris. With a staggering 32 million visitors in 2024, Bangkok, Thailand, topped the list of international arrivals 2024, according to data from Euromonitor International.

Tourists visiting the megacity increased by 37% from 2023, the highest growth of all the top ten cities. Macau, China, in eighth position, was the second highest climber, with a 26% increase to 18 million. Asia featured heavily in the top ten rankings, with Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur also making the cut, however, Europe remained the most popular region, reaching 793 million international trips in the same year.

Istanbul, the second-most visited city in the world, received nearly 10 million fewer visitors than Bangkok, with 23 million international arrivals. London came in third, with 21.7 million visitors in 2024, a growth of 7% from the previous year. 

Despite the large disparity between first and second place, only 7 million arrivals separated the rest of the cities from second to tenth place.

Global international arrivals increased 19% in 2024, and all the top ten destinations saw growth from 2023 to 2024. Paris saw the smallest increase at just 2%, taking its visitor count to 17.4 million, about 4 million behind London.

The data monitor said markets were leveraging sports, events, and infrastructure to increase international tourism spending, which totalled $1.9 trillion (£1.4 trillion) globally in 2024.

By 2030, it predicts the average spend per arrival will reach $1,264 (£939.92) and it expects markets such as the Netherlands, China and Poland to experience the highest growth in spend per trip.

Nadejda Popova, global head of loyalty at Euromonitor International, said: “Infrastructure improvements and continuous marketing have attracted travellers’ attention, opening further growth opportunities.

“The renewed concern about overtourism is on the rise. In response to overtourism, destinations continue to impose higher taxation and entry fees, promoting year-round tourism, rewarding sustainable actions and adopting GenAI solutions.”

Top 10 cities for international arrivals in 2024 (millions)

  1. Bangkok – 32.4 
  2. Istanbul – 23
  3. London – 21.7
  4. Hong Kong – 20.5
  5. Mecca – 19.3
  6. Antalya – 19.3
  7. Dubai – 18.2
  8. Macau – 18
  9. Paris – 17.4
  10. Kuala Lumpur – 16.5



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