A list of must-visit cities in 2019.
As the year 2018 has come to a close and 2019 is still early in its coming, let us take a look at the list which MasterCard highlights as the must-visit places for the year 2018 onwards based on its Global Destination Cities Index.
Must-Visit Cities Around the World
10. Seoul
This capital city of South Korea may not have gotten an upward trajectory that landed it on a lower spot than it previously took, but Seoul still remains one of the top 10 in the list. Apart from the growing popularity of K-Pop through the so-called “Korean Wave” phenomenon, Seoul is inherently a beautiful city that highlights the “best” of a developed country.
If you like ramyun, kimchi, K-Pop fashion, and anything else that makes a wide sensation from Korea, you will never be disappointed in wanting to experience them all when you are in Seoul.
9. Istanbul
The years to come
8. Tokyo
Many cities dream of transforming into a utopia. Japan probably already has it in the form of Tokyo which is emblematic of the country’s prosperity, much as an inspiration to its neighbors. When you think of man things that are good that comes from the “Land of the Rising Sun,” chances are Tokyo has them.
Be it the latest and most innovative gadgets unknown to the rest of the world or sumptuous foods that truly fills the stomach, Tokyo is many things, both amazing and delicious.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city, has come a long way as a former major site for tin mining back in the heyday of the Industrial Revolution. But while this capital city had undergone a major overhaul in much of its aesthetics, it does not forget the other important elements of its existence which, when combined together, makes for something altogether unique while also relatively familiar.
6. New York
Before Washington became the United States’ capital, it was New York which held the position. Inevitably, for a place so significant in the country’s history, New York is a host to a large number of landmarks that are borne from its past and present for everyone to see.
Adding to New York’s overall appeal is possibly its being a location for some of Hollywood’s most memorable films dating as far back as the 1950’s until the 21st century. If you are a movie buff, there is no better way to apply your extensive knowledge about Hollywood movies than being in the very same locations where they had been taken from.
5. Singapore
Singapore is the perfect example of a country that thrives in tourism. While this tiny city-state may little in stature (land area), it more than makes up for with a robust economy and a growing industry in tourism. Year after year, millions of visitor flock Singapore for a taste of entertainment not found in any other. For a tourist hub that has always had an upward trajectory when it comes to the number of total annual visits, Singapore is sitting confidently in the rankings.
4. Dubai
Dubai may be many things as a tourist destination, but if there is one thing that kept it in the list of MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index, it has got to be for its average overnight visitor spending. Based on the data, Dubai is easily insinuated as a favorite tourist destination among the well-off who could spend quite lavishly. But while data may not lie, so too, is the overall impression which this opulent emirate exudes.
3. Paris
The “City of Love,” that is, Paris, may conspicuously be among the top tourist spot for lovers and honeymooners from across the globe, but this France’s capital city is more than just its famed Eiffel Tower. Paris, more than just the romance it imbues, is also a place for many great things such as its art, architecture, food, and the people.
2. London
London may be the world’s “financial capital” which suggests the strong presence of banks and corporations in the area, but this capital city of the United Kingdom is more than just a location of business people and other money-makers. It, too, is a site for the many high-end cultural spaces presented as art, such as the British Museum and the Royal National Theatre.
When you think of London as a tourist destination, you visualize a world-class experience distinct to its own. It is no wonder why this city was once the most-visited city across the globe.
1. Bangkok
For three years in a row, Bangkok has managed to maintain its position as the world’s most visited city, trailing what had been previously London. Thailand’s capital city may not exhibit the best in modernity at par with some of the cities mentioned in this list, but what makes it truly highly sought-after is multi-faceted in nature.
Sure, the happy faces of the people are more than lightening enough to feel welcome in a strange foreign land that is Bangkok. But there are also other appealing reasons why many tourists prefer to put this Thai city at the top of their list above many others—its exotic look which is a mix of the old and the new, the relative affordability of its goods which is a boon among expats from Western regions, and the unique taste of its foods as highlighted by Thailand’s diverse and unique spices.
Have you been to these cities? Tell us your experience in the comments section below.
