Misc
Ranked: Top 10 Cities Where International Travelers Spend the Most
Top 10 Cities Where International Travelers Spend the Most
When it comes to travel, some tourists spare no expense. And some cities are well suited to attract them.
From the luxurious desert city of Dubai to the city of light and love, Paris, many international travelers today are looking to tick the crème de la crème of destinations off their bucket lists. In some cases, they’re seeking out the opulent experiences they missed out on when the pandemic brought the world to a halt.
In this graphic, 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 in 2022.
Cities of Opulence
Last year, Dubai took top spot, followed by nearby Doha, Qatar.
Rank | City | Country / Region | 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 | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | $13.13B |
#7 | Barcelona | 🇪🇸 Spain | $12.73B |
#8 | New York | 🇺🇸 U.S. | $12.45B |
#9 | Singapore | 🇸🇬 Singapore | $10.97B |
#10 | Paris | 🇫🇷 France | $9.76B |
Singapore and Macau represented East Asia, and New York was the sole city from the Americas on the list.
It’s worth noting that this list differs somewhat from overall tourism spending, which would include domestic travel spending as well. Large countries like the United States and China fare better in that ranking.
City Spotlight: Destinations Favored by Big Spenders
When you think of luxury travel, you think of five-star hotels, Michelin-star restaurants, luxury retail outlets, and many other premium experiences. And these cities offered their international travelers just that.
#1. Dubai
From the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building, to the desert excursions and yacht cruises, Dubai offers extravagant experiences for international visitors. The city’s reputation for tax-free, high-end shopping and its commitment to providing a luxurious experience has made it a top travel destination for luxury shoppers from around the world.
Location is another factor in the city’s success. Dubai sits 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 spent close to $30 billion in the city in 2022.
#3. London
London has long been a preferred location for the ultra-wealthy, and as a result, the city has an abundance of amenities for well-heeled travelers. For one, London is home to more five star hotels than any other city. As well, London offers ultra-wealthy travelers access to a wide range of high-end designer retailers, as well as world-famous museums, galleries, and landmarks.
Of course, the UK’s largest city also sees a high overall volume of tourists overall, which adds to the $16 billion global visitors spent in the city in 2022.
#4. Macau
Known as the Las Vegas of Asia, Macau’s gambling hub has been a magnet for international tourists for years. However, as the city began re-imagining its tourism strategies post-pandemic, it has grown stronger as an international tourist destination.
Outside tourists brought in $15.6 billion in 2022, and that number is only expected to multiply further over the next decade. This growth is being fueled by China and Hong Kong, which account for the lion’s share of visits.
Note: Although Macau is now a part of China, it remains a Special Administrative Region under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.
Transforming Travel Trends
The global travel industry continues to recover from the pandemic, which is good news for the many nations that economically rely on tourism.
As travel restrictions were lifted, many tourists flocked to remote destinations that were less traveled. However, this WTTC research is proof that the world’s iconic cities are making their way back onto tourist itineraries once again.
Maps
Mapped: The World’s Wettest and Driest Countries
From tropical rainforests to the sandy deserts of North Africa, the world’s wettest and driest countries are a study in contrasts.
Where are the World’s Wettest and Driest Countries?
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
From tropical rainforest nations to the sandy deserts of North Africa and the Middle East, the world’s wettest and driest countries are a study in contrasts.
We map and rank the countries that receive the highest and lowest average annual precipitation in millimeters, per latest data from the World Bank.
Ranked: Top 10 Wettest Countries
Colombia tops the list of nations with the highest average precipitation at 3,240 millimeters (128 inches) in a year.
Its Tutunendo district is the one of the world’s wettest places, averaging nearly 12,000 mm (463 inches) of rain annually.
Rank | Country | Average Annual Precipitation (mm) |
---|---|---|
1 | Colombia | 3,240 |
2 | Sao Tome & Principe | 3,200 |
3 | Papua New Guinea | 3,142 |
4 | Solomon Islands | 3,028 |
5 | Panama | 2,928 |
6 | Costa Rica | 2,926 |
7 | Samoa | 2,880 |
8 | Malaysia | 2,875 |
9 | Brunei | 2,722 |
10 | Indonesia | 2,702 |
Note: Figures are rounded.
Off the coast of Africa however, Sao Tome & Principe is not far behind Colombia, receiving about 3,200 mm of rain in 2020.
Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands also average more than 3,000 mm of rain in a year, and Panama (2,928 mm) rounds out the top five.
Noticeably, all 10 countries lie in close proximity to the equator, and near oceans, where rising hot and humid air leads to abundant rainfall.
Ranked: Top 10 Driest Countries
On the other end of the scale, Egypt records the lowest average annual rainfall across all countries, at 18 mm (0.7 inches). For comparison, Colombia receives nearly 180x the amount of rain Egypt does.
Rank | Country | Average Annual Precipitation (mm) |
---|---|---|
1 | Egypt | 18 |
2 | Libya | 56 |
3 | Saudi Arabia | 59 |
4 | Qatar | 74 |
5 | UAE | 78 |
6 | Bahrain | 83 |
7 | Algeria | 89 |
8 | Mauritania | 92 |
9 | Jordan | 111 |
10 | Kuwait | 121 |
Note: Figures are rounded.
In fact, countries from North Africa and the Middle East make up the entirety of this list of the driest countries in the world.
Learn More About Rainfall From Visual Capitalist
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out Mapping the Unequal Distribution of Global Precipitation which divides the world into two halves: one that receives more than global average of rain (or snow), and one that receives less.
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