Euromonitor International has named Bangkok the world’s top tourism city in 2024 after it welcomed a record-breaking 32.4 million visitors.
Bangkok named world’s top tourism city for 2024
Chinese tourists take pictures in downtown Bangkok, Thailand, March 2024. Photo by Reuters
This figure far exceeds that of Istanbul, the second-ranked city, with 23 million foreign arrivals.
Bangkok’s success is attributed to not only its visitor numbers but also Thailand’s tourism policy and general appeal. Its traveler-friendly visa policies, including a 60-day visa exemption for citizens of 93 countries and expanded visa-on-arrival eligibility for 31 countries, have played a significant role in boosting its appeal.
The Thai capital already surpassed pre-pandemic tourism levels in 2023, with 2024 seeing over 30% growth.
However, when evaluated across six key pillars – economic and business tourism performance, infrastructure, policies and appeal, health and safety, and sustainability – Bangkok did not make it in the top 10 list for overall destination attractiveness.
Paris led this list, followed by Madrid and Tokyo.
Credit: e.vnexpress.net