According to a recent study released by MasterCard, London is the top international destination of 2011. This “Index of Global Destination Cities” ranks the top cities around the world based on the number of international visitors expected this year. MasterCard also ranked the top cities in terms of international visitor spending – London ranked number one on this list as well.
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In terms of the amount of international arrivals, MasterCard found that London leads the way with an expected 20.1 million visitors this year. Paris appears number two on the list with an estimated 18.1 million visitors and Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong follow with 11.5, 11.4. and 10.9 million anticipated in 2011, respectively.
At number twelve on the list, New York is the only city in the United States that cracked the top twenty. However, when MasterCard analyzed the top cities based on international visitor spending, The Big Apple leaped all the way to number two, estimating that international visitors will spend $20.3 billion in New York this year – right around $5 billion less then they’ll spend in London ($25.6 billion).
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Los Angeles and Miami find themselves in the top twenty in visitor spending as well and will see the seventh and sixteenth highest incomes from those coming overseas – who will spend $12.5 billion in L.A. and $8.7 billion in Miami this year.
Paris and Bangkok remain in the top five at $14.6 and $14.4 billion in visitor spending, with Frankfurt sliding in at number five at an estimated $14.0 billion to be earned from international travelers in 2011.
Overall the world’s top destinations, earning the most from international travelers, consists of eight cities in Europe, six in Asia, three in North America, two in Australia, and one in the Middle East.
Where are you off to?
