ATLANTA — Despite political unrest, Hong Kong has been named the world’s most visited destination in 2019, the Asian city set to receive 26 million international arrivals before the year ends.
The news comes at a good time, even as Hong Kong’s tourism industry struggles to recover ever since anti-government protests began in March. UK-based market research company, Euromonitor says the instability has led to an 8.7% drop from the nearly 30 million international tourists who visited in 2018.
Regular favourites Bangkok (25,847,800 arrivals 2019) and London (19,559,900 arrivals 2019) continue to hog the top second and third spots respectively, with Asian cities again dominating the charts, which Euromonitor credits to the travelling power of Chinese tourists.
In the top 100 destinations, Asia leads the pack, followed by Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and finally Africa.
Cities showing top potential – and to watch out for – include Singapore, currently at the fifth spot, with 5.3% increase in international arrivals in 2018 (19,760,800 arrivals 2019). Euromonitor cites the destination’s “strong tourism strategy” as well as marketing of “authentic local experience(s) to offer authenticity and variety”.
While the popularity and increase in low-cost carriers have pushed numbers of previously less explored destinations, improved infrastructure still plays a part – such as at Hurghada in Egypt, whose improved Terminal 2 at Hurghada International Airport helped the city jump 45 spots to number 82 on Euromonitor’s list.
The report gathered data from more than 400 cities, where tourism arrivals is defined as international visitors who stay in another country for at least 24 hours – thus leaving out domestic visitors, cruise passengers and day-trippers.
Top 20 of the world’s most visited cities:
1. Hong Kong
2. Bangkok, Thailand
3. London, England
4. Macau
5. Singapore
6. Paris, France
7. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
8. New York City, USA
9. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
10. Istanbul, Turkey
11. Delhi, India
12. Antalya, Turkey
13. Shenzhen, China
14. Mumbai, India
15. Phuket, Thailand
16. Rome, Italy
17. Tokyo, Japan
18. Pattaya, Thailand
19. Taipei, Taiwan
20. Mecca, Saudi Arabia