Global tourism is on an unstoppable upward trajectory, and international travel is booming – more people are travelling than ever before. According to UN Tourism, in the first six months of 2025 alone, close to 690 million people travelled internationally, which is a five-percent increase over the same period in 2024, and a four-percent increase from 2019.
With so many travellers and tourists jet-setting around the world in large numbers, the big question that comes to mind is: where are they all going? Which city is stamped on their boarding pass, and which destination has captured their fancy?
Euromonitor International collates a Top 100 City Destinations Index every year, and the most recent edition spotlights the most visited cities in the world based on the volume of international arrivals. Bangkok snatched first place with more than 32 million arrivals recorded in 2024, representing a 37-percent year-on-year growth. In second place is Istanbul with 23 million international arrivals, followed closely by London with 21.7 million, and even closer by Hong Kong in fourth, with 20.5 million international arrivals last year. According to the data analytics and research firm, our numbers show a 19-percent growth from 2023 to 2024, which spells good news for our ongoing tourism push.
Hong Kong’s attractions are too many and varied to list, but some factors that certainly propel the city to the top of any traveller’s bucket list are its fantastic public transportation systems which make it easy to get around town and explore the city at your leisure, modern conveniences that are embedded into the city’s fabric, amazing culinary options, easy and speedy access to nature, and a seamless blend of East and West.
From incredible hiking trails suitable for all levels, delicious street food, picturesque beaches, and unbeatable views to countless retail therapy options, there’s something for every kind of traveller that makes a visit to Hong Kong the trip of a lifetime. Hop on a ferry to explore outlying islands, snap photos of the city’s iconic neon signs, discover different neighbourhoods, or maybe even curse your nemesis with a villain-hitting session.
Check out more things to do in Hong Kong to plan your next visit.
Top 10 most visited cities in the world by international arrivals:
- Bangkok
- Istanbul
- London
- Hong Kong
- Mecca
- Antalya
- Dubai
- Macau
- Paris
- Kuala Lumpur
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