Global market research company Euromonitor International has released its Top 100 Cities Destination ranking, a list of the world’s top cities in terms of international tourist arrivals in 2011.
The rebound in global economic growth in 2011 contributed to stronger tourism demand, positively impacting results for the top 100 cities, with arrivals increasing 7%.
Emerging city destinations located in Asia Pacific performed well thanks to a strong economic environment and intra-regional demand.
Hong Kong topped the ranking with more than 20 million arrivals in 2011, a nine percent increase over 2010.
Hong Kong remains largely dependent on arrivals from China, but new themed events organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board helped draw in visitors from other Asian countries.
Singapore and London kept their 2010 positions as number two and three on the list, recording nearly 20 million arrivals and 15 million arrivals, respectively.
Kuala Lumpur was in fourth spot (13.3m arrivals), followed by Macau (12.9m) and Bangkok (12.3m).
"While many cities maintained their previous rankings, Vietnam showed a particularly strong performance with Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi experiencing over 40% growth for the second consecutive year," said Caroline Bremner, head of travel and tourism research at Euromonitor International.
Other placings: 13, Dubai (7.7m), 14, Shanghai (6.9), 17, Pattaya (6m), 24, Phuket (4.8m), 33, Ho Chi Minh (3.5m), 46, Seoul (2.8m), 48, Tokyo (2.7m), 51, Sydney (2.6m), 52, Denpasar (2.5m), 84, Christchurch (1.7m), 88, Melbourne (1.6m)
