Global market research
company Euromonitor International released its Top 100 Cities
Destination ranking, a list of the world’s top cities in terms of
international tourist arrivals in 2011.
The
rebound in global economic growth in 2011 contributed to stronger
tourism demand, positively impacting results for the top 100 cities,
with arrivals increasing 7%. Emerging city destinations located
in Asia Pacific performed well thanks to a strong economic
environment and intra-regional demand.
Hong
Kong topped the ranking with more than 20 million
arrivals in 2011, a nine percent increase over 2010. Hong
Kong remains largely dependent on arrivals from China, but new
themed events organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board
helped draw in visitors from other Asian countries this year.
Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand
all registered double-digit
growth in the number of trips to Hong Kong.
Singapore
and London kept
their 2010 positions as
number two and three on the list, recording nearly 20 million
arrivals and 15 million arrivals, respectively. Singapore’s growth
was driven primarily by large events such as the Great Singapore
Sales, Formula One Grand Prix and TravelRave, while London benefited
from a wide mix of entertainment options and
its position as
Europe’s best connected city.
“While
many cities maintained their previous rankings, Vietnam showed a
particularly strong performance with
Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi experiencing over 40% growth for the second
consecutive year,” explains Caroline Bremner, Head
ofTravel
and Tourism Research at Euromonitor International. “Although Hanoi
and Ho Chi Minh City will continue to betop
tourist attractions in
Vietnam, future demand is likely to be driven by other Vietnamese
cities including Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc emerging as
international tourists look to discover more new places.”
Euromonitor
International foresees even stronger growth for arrivals in 2012.
Because uncertainty in the global economy still exists, especially in
the US and Europe, future growth will be driven by Asia Pacific, the
Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Less visa restrictions will
further encourage tourism flows over 2012-2016.
To
see the entire ranking, please
visit: http://blog.euromonitor.com/2013/01/top-100-cities-destination-ranking.html