Global Destination Cities Index 2017: Top 20 Fastest-Growing Cities Revealed

The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index (GDCI) has released its latest report, highlighting the top 20 fastest-growing cities from 2009 to 2016. The index is based on public data and does not rely on transactional data like Mastercard's own reports. According to the study, Japan's Osaka took the top spot with an impressive 24% annual growth rate over the seven-year period.

Osaka was followed closely by Chengdu in China's Sichuan province, which saw a staggering 22.7% growth rate, and Colombo in Sri Lanka, which experienced a significant 20.3% increase. Singapore rounded out the top five with nearly 13.5 million international visitors expected to arrive in 2017.

In terms of visitor spending, Dubai took the top spot, with its 14.9 million international overnight visitors shelling out a whopping $28.5 billion in 2016. The city is forecasted to see more than 10% growth in visitor spending for 2017. Paris, meanwhile, came in third on the list of top destination cities, with 16.1 million visitors expected to arrive in 2017.

London, the capital of the United Kingdom, held onto its second spot from last year, with projected arrivals topping 20 million in 2017. The city serves as a key starting and stopping point for many travelers exploring Southeast Asia, and its rich cultural heritage, world-class museums, and iconic landmarks like the London Eye, London Bridge, and the British Museum make it an attractive destination.

Bangkok, Thailand's vibrant capital, welcomed nearly 20.2 million international visitors in 2016, making it poised to become the most popular city in the world for international travelers. The city is famous for its delicious culinary delights and lively nightlife, which draws tourists from all over the globe.

The Mastercard GDCI report analyzed visitor volume and spending across 132 top destination cities, providing valuable insights into global travel trends. With its focus on public data, the report offers a comprehensive look at the fastest-growing cities in the world, shedding light on the destinations that are gaining popularity among international travelers.

Global destination cities index 2017