The world’s most popular city destinations of 2023 revealed

Uncovered Top Travel Destinations Shaping 2023 Itineraries

In collaboration with data firm Lighthouse, an index titled "Top 100 City Destinations 2023" evaluates cities worldwide on criteria like tourism, sustainability, economic performance, and health and safety.

Europe holds sway with 7 top 10 cities and 63 nations in the top 100. Dubai ranks 10th, while Tokyo appears at 4th and 8th, and New York claims 4th and 10th spots.

Madrid snags the 3rd spot, followed by Amsterdam, Berlin, and Rome (5th, 6th, and 7th respectively). Barcelona and London complete the top 10.

Asia presents a solid showing in the Top 20, with Singapore (11th), Seoul (14th), Osaka (16th), and Hong Kong (17th) making the list.

The study attributes Europe's success to its "rapid urbanization and widespread technology adoption." Travelers today are seeking high-speed internet, flexible booking options, and remote work opportunities. Euromonitor International shares: "Improving sustainability, transportation networks, and social impacts are some primary goals that contemporary cities pursue to compete in the travel services industry, improve experiences, and provide seamless customer journeys."

Tokyo achieves Top 10 placement for the first time, thanks to enhanced tourist infrastructure, loosened Covid-19 regulations, and a favorable exchange rate for foreign travelers.

Istanbul welcomes most international tourists by mid-2023

Four newcomers – Washington D.C. (48th), Montreal (68th), Santiago (88th), and Vilnius (92nd) – join the top 100 list this year due to enhanced tourism offerings.

The global travel sector recovers strongly, and projections indicate a 1.3 billion traveler count by year-end 2023, generating approximately $1.7 trillion in worldwide tourism spending.

Dubai persistently constructs new reasons to visit, such as the world's largest observation wheel, Ain Dubai.

Istanbul leads the list of international visitors in 2023, followed by London and Dubai. Cities experiencing the most growth between 2022 and 2023 include Hong Kong (2495%) and Bangkok (142%), both latecomers to reopening post-pandemic.

A rise in tourist numbers can have positive effects but may negatively impact local communities and the environment. In a statement, Nadejda Popova, Senior Manager at Euromonitor International, discusses the challenge of overtourism.

"Some destinations impose restrictions, levy high taxes, or reduce hotel capacities to control tourist inflows and protect cultural heritage, while others pursue a decentralized strategy to promote alternative or remote attractions," she said.

Popova forecasts that rising living expenses, inflation volatility, and geopolitical instability will be the major hurdles for tourism growth in 2024 and 2025. Consumers will seek budget-friendly travel options, with many opting for vacations closer to home.

The Top 20 cities in the Euromonitor Top 100 Cities Destination Index 2023 include: