Asia Pacific cities dominate Euromonitor Top 100
Euromonitor International has released the Top City Destinations Ranking, covering 100 of the world’s leading cities in terms of international tourist arrivals.
Within the top 10, six cities are located in Asia, demonstrating the importance of the region to international travel.
Overall, 32 of the top 100 city destinations are in Asia Pacific, 12 more than in second-placed Western Europe.
Hong Kong and Singapore maintained their first and second place spots in 2012.
China was the fastest growing source market and helped them to retain their leading positions.
Arrivals from China to Hong Kong grew by 11.1% in 2012 and accounted for a 63.5% share of all inbound visitors. Without taking Chinese arrivals into account, however, international arrivals to Hong Kong were flat.
China is the third largest source market for Singapore although it accounts for only 9.6% of international arrivals.
Instead, Singapore relies heavily on arrivals from Malaysia and Indonesia, which together account for slightly more than half of all arrivals.
Chinese tourists were also a boon to Thailand’s tourism industry, increasing by 62% in 2012 to become the largest source market for tourists. Bangkok edged out London for third place in the rankings.
In absolute terms, Shanghai, Beijing and Zhuhai were among the worst performing cities in 2012.
A slowing economy, a stronger yuan and pollution fears all dissuaded travellers from visiting Asian countries, as well as Canadians and Russians from visiting China.
In particular, tourists from Japan, China’s fifth largest source market, experienced a decline due to the weak yen and the ongoing dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.
Selected rankings and visitor numbers:
5, Macau (13.36m)
6, Kuala Lumpur (13.33m)
8, New York City (11.61m)
13, Dubai (8.02m)
51, Denpasar (2.95m)
57, Sydney (2.67m)
81, Auckland (1.96m)
91, Melbourne (1.78m)
94, Christchurch (1.73m)
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season