Top 10 Cities Where International Travelers Spend the Most
When it comes to travel, some tourists spend all their money. And some cities are suitable to attract them.
From the high desert city of Dubai to the city of light and romance, Paris, many international travelers today are looking to tick the crème de la crème off their bucket list. Sometimes, they seek the good experiences they missed when the plague stopped the world.
In these images, we use the latest research by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to highlight the top 10 cities where international travelers spent the most money in 2022.
Developing Cities
Last year, Dubai took the top spot, followed by Doha, Qatar.
| Responsibility | City | Country/Province | Income from International Tourists (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Dubai | 🇦🇪 UAE | $29.42B |
| #2 | Doha | 🇶🇦 Qatar | $16.79B |
| #3 | London | 🇬🇧 UK | $16.07B |
| #4 | Macau | 🇲🇴 Macau SAR | $15.58B |
| #5 | Amsterdam | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $13.59B |
| #6 | Istanbul | 🇹🇷 Turkey | $13.13B |
| #7 | Barcelona | 🇪🇸 in Spain | $12.73B |
| #8 | new York | 🇺🇸US | $12.45B |
| #9 | Singapore | 🇸🇬 Singapore | $10.97B |
| #10 | Paris | 🇫🇷 France | $9.76B |
Singapore and Macau represented East Asia, and New York was the only American city on the list.
It is important to note that this list differs slightly from total tourism revenue, which may include domestic travel expenses. Major countries such as the United States and China are doing well in this list.
City Lights: Places Favored by Big Spenders
When you think of luxury travel, you think of five-star hotels, Michelin-star restaurants, luxury shopping malls, and more. And these cities also cater to international travelers.
#1. Dubai
From the Burj Khalifa, which is currently the tallest building in the world, to desert tours and cruises, Dubai offers amazing experiences for international tourists. The city’s reputation for duty-free, luxury shopping and its commitment to luxury has made it a top destination for luxury shoppers around the world.
Location is another factor that makes a city great. Dubai is at the natural crossroads between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and is home to one of the world’s busiest, well-connected airports.
International travelers will spend an estimated $30 billion in the city in 2022.
#3. London
London has become a favorite destination for the wealthy, and as a result, the city has many amenities for the well-heeled traveler. First, London has more five-star hotels than any other city. Also, London offers affluent travelers access to a wide variety of high-end retailers, as well as world-renowned museums, galleries, and information centers.
Of course, the biggest city in the UK also sees a lot of tourists, which adds to it $16 billion tourists from all over the world stayed in the city in 2022.
#4. Macau
Known as the Las Vegas of Asia, Macau’s gambling hub has been attracting foreign tourists for years. However, as the city began to rebuild its tourism industry after the pandemic, it has grown as a global tourist destination.
Foreign tourists brought in $15.6 billion in 2022, and this number is expected to increase over the next decade. This development is encouraged by China and Hong Kongwhich causes the lion to come.
Note: Although Macau is now part of China, it is still a Special Administrative Region under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”.
Changing Itineraries
The world’s travel industry continues to recover from the pandemic, which is good news for many countries that depend on the economy.
When travel restrictions were lifted, many tourists flocked to remote areas they had never visited before. However, the WTTC survey is proof that the world’s most popular cities are making a comeback in tourism.
