Bangkok's back! The Thai capital has bounced to the top of an annual list of the world's most popular travel destinations after spending several years in the wilderness (of second place). Its return to the throne came at a cost to London which, after occupying pole position for two years, is trading places with its Asian rival. Bangkok is projected to host 21.47 million 'international overnight visitors' this year, according to the 2016 report by financial services corporation MasterCard. That figure is more than two times the city's population of about 10 million. Bangkok's 2014-15 fall from the top was largely put down to political instability in recent years. But there's no escaping Bangkok's allure: a vibrant urban and culinary scene and proximity to some of the world's most beautiful beaches and islands. London, meanwhile, is expected to welcome 18.88 million visitors this year. Paris is in third place with 18.03 million forecast visitors. MasterCard says its index reflects the interconnectedness of major global cities and tracks the ways in which business and leisure jet-setters spend their money. Ranked fourth with 15.27 million visitors, Dubai 'made a quantum leap to become the global top-ranked' in visitor spending, the report says. Based on a new estimate provided by the government of Dubai, its visitor spending of $31.3 billion this year far exceeds London's estimated $19.8 billion, which comes second. According to the index, tourists are 'spending overwhelmingly' to shop -- and not to dine -- in the top 20 destinations outside of Europe, despite many of them being world-famous cuisine capitals. Top 10 destination cities in 2016 1. Bangkok, Thailand 泰國曼谷 2. London, England 英國倫敦 3. Paris, France 法國巴黎 4. Dubai, UAE 阿聯(lián)酋迪拜 5. New York, USA 美國紐約 6. Singapore 新加坡 7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 馬來西亞吉隆坡 8. Istanbul, Turkey 土耳其伊斯坦布爾 9. Tokyo, Japan 日本東京 10. Seoul, South Korea 韓國首爾 |
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