Travel Insights

The world’s most visited cities in 2018

Ranking the world’s top destinations for international arrivals in each region.

April 12, 2019 — Paris, Tokyo, Bangkok, London and Barcelona topped the list of destinations for international tourist arrivals in 2018, according to Visa’s latest estimates based on anonymized transaction data and official tourism statistics provided in the Visa International Travel (VISIT) platform. Residents from neighboring countries accounted for the bulk of visits to those cities.

Other cities, such as Shanghai and New York, had comparable tourist arrivals; their visitors, however, were mostly domestic, rather than international, travelers. Excluding intra-regional arrivals, Paris would still top the list, but would be followed by Dubai, New York, London and Marrakech.

​The following table ranks the world’s top cities for international arrivals in each region. The rankings are based on a comparison of arrivals from more than 100 countries at over 1,000 cities spanning 60 countries. While not all cities are included, many major centers for global travel are.

International arrivals by origin region (millions)

International arrivals by origin region. See the image description link below for more details.

Europe

  1. Paris is the top destination in Europe, with international arrivals ranging 0-25 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-5.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-7.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-2.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-3 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  2. London is the second-ranked destination in Europe, with international arrivals ranging 0-13 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-3 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-3.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-1 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-1.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  3. Barcelona is the third-ranked destination in Europe, with international arrivals ranging 0-15 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-1.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-2.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-1 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-1 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  4. Istanbul is the third-ranked destination in Europe, with international arrivals ranging 0-14 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-1.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-0.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-2.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  5. Amsterdam is the fifth-ranked destination in Europe, with international arrivals ranging 0-11 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-2.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-2.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-1 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-1 million from Middle East and African origin markets.

Asia Pacific

  1. Tokyo is the top destination in Asia, with international arrivals ranging 0-2 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-22 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-2 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  2. Bangkok is the second-ranked destination in Asia, with international arrivals ranging 0-3.5 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-18.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-1.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  3. Singapore is the third-ranked destination in Asia, with international arrivals ranging 0-2 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-15 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-1 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  4. Hong Kong is the fourth-ranked destination in Asia, with international arrivals ranging 0-2 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-9 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-2 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  5. Shanghai is the fifth-ranked destination in Asia, with international arrivals ranging 0-3 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-8 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-2 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.

A table ranking top cities for Middle East and Africa, North America and Latin America arrivals. See the image description link below for more details.

Middle East and Africa

  1. Dubai is the top destination in Middle East and Africa, with international arrivals ranging 0-6 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-7 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-1.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  2. Marrakech is the second-ranked destination in Middle East and Africa, with international arrivals ranging 0-6.5 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-0.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-0.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  3. Mecca is the third-ranked destination in Middle East and Africa, with international arrivals ranging 0-0.5 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-3 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-0.5 million from North American origin markets, and 0-3 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  4. Riyadh is the fourth-ranked destination in Middle East and Africa, with international arrivals ranging 0-1 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-1.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-0.5 million from North American origin markets, and 0-2.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  5. Abu Dhabi is the fifth-ranked destination in Middle East and Africa, with international arrivals ranging 0-2 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-1.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-0.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-1 million from Middle East and African origin markets.

North America

  1. New York is the top destination in North America, with international arrivals ranging 0-4 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-2.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-1.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-1.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  2. Las Vegas is the second-ranked destination in North America, with international arrivals ranging 0-2.5 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-2.0 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-2.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-1.0 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  3. Orlando is the third-ranked destination in North America, with international arrivals ranging 0-1.5 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-1.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-2.0 million from North American origin markets, 0-025 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  4. Los Angeles is the fourth-ranked destination in North America, with international arrivals ranging 0-2.0 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-2.0 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-1.0 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  5. Miami is the fifth-ranked destination in North America, with international arrivals ranging 0-2.0 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-2.0 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-1.0 million from North American origin markets, 0-0.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.

Latin America

  1. Buenos Aires is the top destination in Latin America, with international arrivals ranging 0-1 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-0.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-1 million from North American origin markets, 0-3.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  2. Cancun is the second-ranked destination in Latin America, with international arrivals ranging 0-0.5 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-0.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-3.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-1 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  3. Punta Cana is the third-ranked destination in Latin America, with international arrivals ranging 0-1 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-0.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-2.5 million from North American origin markets, and 0-1 million from Latin American origin markets.
  4. Playa del Carmen is the fourth-ranked destination in Latin America, with international arrivals ranging 0-1 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-0.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-2.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-1 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.
  5. Santiago is the fifth-ranked destination in Latin America, with international arrivals ranging 0-0.5 million from European origin markets in 2018, 0-0.5 million from Asia Pacific origin markets, 0-0.5 million from North American origin markets, 0-2.5 million from Latin American origin markets, and 0-0.5 million from Middle East and African origin markets.

Source: Visa International Travel (VISIT) Platform. See PDF for methodology.

Other highlights of this newsletter:

  • The top two destinations for AP travelers, Tokyo and Bangkok, benefited from not only being anchors in key regional air routes, but also active tourism promotional efforts.
  • For European travelers, nearby destinations have consistently dominated, with the same four cities topping the list over the past two years.
  • Top destinations for travelers from the U.S. and Canada in 2018 reflected the enduring draw of European holidays, Mexican and Caribbean beach vacations, and the convenience of traveling between major U.S. and Canadian cities. The strength of the U.S. dollar also helped.
  • Mexican travelers led the increase in Latin American and Caribbean travel to North America and Europe as strengthening household finances and consumer confidence contributed to rising consumer spending.
  • Dubai maintained its lead as a top destination city for travelers from the Middle East and Africa. Cities in Saudi Arabia have welcomed a growing number of foreign tourists, including from within the region following the introduction of tourist visas. Previously only business visitors or pilgrims were allowed to visit the Kingdom.

View the full Travel Insights PDF report

Disclaimer

Studies, survey results, research, recommendations, opportunity assessments, claims, etc. (the ‘Statements’) should be considered directional only. The Statements should not be relied upon for marketing, legal, regulatory or other advice. The Statements should be independently evaluated in light of your specific business needs and any applicable laws and regulations. Visa is not responsible for your use of the Statements, including errors of any kind, or any assumptions or conclusions you might draw from their use.