There are many reasons why it is essential to research travel destinations. Researching the most visited cities in the world can benefit any traveler - whether you are an adventure seeker, a paradise enthusiast, or simply a digital Nomad. This research can enlighten you on the hottest tourist spots and help you gain great insight into what the city offers.
According to a study done by Mastercard, they have created the Global Destinations City Index. This list is compiled from studies on overnight visitor arrivals and cross-border spending.The list proves that these cities have been dominating for years and for one specific reason - diversity. People choose cities to travel to based on what attractions they offer and the diversity in the environment. These cities offer stability in why they're so popular. Each city offers its own distinct pace, culture, and experiences.
The Top 10 Most Visited Cities In The World:
- Bangkok (Total International travelers: 22.78 million)
- Paris (Total International travelers: 19.10 million)
- London (Total International travelers: 19.09 million)
- Dubai (Total International travelers: 15.93 million)
- Singapore (Total International travelers: 14.67 million)
- Kuala Lumpur (Total International travelers: 13.79 million)
- New York (Total International travelers: 13.60 million)
- Istanbul (Total International travelers: 13.40 million)
- Tokyo (Total International travelers: 12.93 million)
- Antalya (Total International travelers: 12.41 million)
Let’s Have a Look At The Top 4 Most Visited Cities In The World:
Bankok
This famous capital city in Thailand ranks as the top-visited city in the world. Bangkok welcomed 22 million visitors in 2021! Imagine 22 million people flocking to one city, crazy! This is the 5th time Bangkok has ranked at the number one spot.
Tourism abruptly stopped in March 2020 when no travelers were allowed until August 2020 due to the raging Covid-19 pandemic. After that, tourists were only allowed to enter Thailand under exceptional and stringent conditions. During the first quarter of 2022, tourism has astronomically increased from 2020 and 2021. As Thailand recently eased its travel restrictions, they aim to welcome up to 15 million international travelers this year. This is a significantly lower amount than pre-pandemic.
Bangkok offers a variety of sceneries, from the majestic coastline and concrete skyscrapers to golden-wrapped temples. You will find yourself surrounded by bustling tuk-tuks and taxis and overwhelmed by the appealling smell of the fantastic street food Bangkok has to offer.
Attractions not to be missed: Visited the majorly historical attraction, the Grand Palace. Some of the most beautiful temples include: Wat Arun, the Temple of the golden Buddha, and Wat Suthat. Shop by Boat at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. The best street market food can be found on Khao San Road, don’t miss this explosive flavor of tasty street food.
Visa requirements: Thai Visa For US Citizens - Tourist Visa Requirements and Application Process
Paris
It is no surprise that the ‘city of love’ would be rated 2nd on the list. Paris welcomed 19 million international travelers in 2021. As of June 2022 - Bangkok is rated as the most visited country of 2022, but this might change towards the end of 2022. France is one of the most visited countries in the world, with Paris receiving the top place on the most traveled city list a few times. It would be interesting to monitor the battle between Bangkok and Paris! In April 2022, Paris eased their travel restrictions, and fully vaccinated travelers can now quickly enter Paris.
Paris's romantic setting, elegant boulevards, and dreamy architecture will make you love this city. Paris is also known for its high-quality gastronomy dining experiences. Paris can be described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Attractions not to be missed: Of course, the first thing will be the Eifel Tower. View the Mona Lisa and other art at the Musée de Lourve. Paris has some of the most beautiful cathedrals, including Notre Dame and Montmarte. Walk down the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées and bestow your eyes on the magnificent Arc de Triumph.
Visa requirements: Italy Schengen Visa: Visa Application, Requirements and Processing Time
London
London has a total number of international travelers of 19 million, earning it the spot at number 3. For the entire calendar year of 2022, London hopes to welcome around 21 million travelers.
London has a gothic undertone with beautiful medieval buildings and many tourist attractions. London is full of character, offering incredible sights and a bustling nightlife, making it a trendy tourist destination.
Attractions not to be missed: Big Ben, London Eye, and Buckingham Palace are some of the most significant and well-known tourist spots. For a more gothic grandeur, visit Westminster Abbey, where you can peruse graves, tablets, and stone dedications. If you want a more cultural experience, make sure to visit the Royal Opera house.
Visa requirements: How To Get A UK Visa: Application Form and Requirements
Dubai
Dubai had 15.9 million international tourists. It is interesting to know that Dubai is breaking tourism records in 2022. It has a whopping hotel occupancy rate of 82% in the first quarter of 2022! This is crazy to imagine since we are so freshly into ‘post-covid’ travel.
Dubai rises out of the desert to bring magnificent skyscrapers and luxurious accommodations. Dubai is truly a city of wonders as you can literally experience everything within one city - from scorching deserts to magnificent beaches and skiing on artificial snow.
Attractions not to be missed: If you want to follow tourist trends for 2022, make sure to stop at the Burj al Arab or be one of the first people to stay in the newly built Villa in the clouds - Atlantis, The Royal. Dubai also has loads of fantastic themes- and water parks not to be missed. Experience some thrilling adventure on a 4x4 desert trail.
Visa Requirements: Dubai Visa On Arrival, The Dubai 5 Year Multiple Entry Visa, or The Dubai Tourist Visa
How To Get A Visa In Minutes?
Use Atlys!
Have you ever found that applying for a visa is a very stresful and tedious process? From missing documents, to tiny errors and websites crashing all leaving you wondering if you will ever get this visa? With Atlys, you can complete a Visa application, error-free in under 10 minutes. This sounds crazy, right?
But this is what you can expect from Atlys:
- Straight-forward application process - this can be done in minutes!
- Support with gathering your documents - Atlys helps you gather all the required documents.
- Step-by-step instructions - Atlys will be there every step of the way!
Still don't believe me? Download the Atlys app and start your application now.
Free Atlys Tools You Can Use To Travel With Certainty
I know you will be very excited about this next section because I am. You've probably noticed that we've linked some of our tools, such as the flight itinerary and hotel itinerary tools.
These tools were created by travelers for travelers to make traveling easier. Here's a list of Atlys' free tools that will make your next visa application a breeze:
- Passport photo checker
- Hotel itinerary
- Flight itinerary
- Visa appointment booker
What Do You Think The Travel Trends Of 2022 Will Be?
As the world slowly starts easing into a ‘new normal’ as Covid-19 travel restrictions are being eased worldwide, we'll surely see some new travel trends for 2022. Do you think people will still travel to ‘pre-covid’ travel hotspots, or have people have new-found travel needs? Do you think that Paris will outrank Bangkok at the end of 2022, or will Dubai rise and demolish all the statistics for travel so far? As always, when planning your next trip, check all the travel requirements and, most importantly, get your visa! Remember that Atlys is the only way to get your visa effectively!