Dubai has secured the prestigious position of the world’s second-best city destination, according to the Euromonitor Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023. While Paris maintains its global allure as the top city, Dubai’s remarkable standing is attributed to its thriving business environment, robust international travel demand, continuous infrastructure development, and innovative marketing strategies.
Euromonitor International’s report assesses 55 metrics across six crucial pillars: economic and business performance, tourism performance, tourism infrastructure, tourism policy and attractiveness, health and safety, and sustainability. Vitalij Vladykin, a senior research manager at Euromonitor, emphasized Dubai’s strong economic and business performance, recognizing it as a magnet for both returning and first-time international tourists. The city’s commitment to fostering a favorable business climate and investing in tourism infrastructure, including airport expansion and new attractions, sets it apart.
Dubai’s attractiveness is further heightened by creative marketing campaigns and a streamlined visa process. The city’s dedication to sustainability is evident in initiatives like the ‘Year of Sustainability’ and the introduction of a ‘Sustainable Tourism’ stamp for hotels.
Globally, the top-ranking cities include Paris, Dubai, Madrid, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, New York, Barcelona, and London. Euromonitor anticipates 16.8 million international trips to Dubai in 2023, reflecting an 18% increase from the previous year. While Paris and London lead the pack, Dubai is poised to take the third spot, following Istanbul.
Consumers, seeking value for money, are expected to drive the demand for intraregional travel, favoring authentic and local experiences along with sustainable tourism alternatives. The international travel sector has demonstrated strong recovery in 2023, with a 38% growth in the number of trips, projected to reach 1.3 billion by year-end. Notably, the return of Chinese international travel, following the removal of governmental quarantine measures, marks a significant milestone in the industry’s recovery. Global tourism spending is forecasted to reach $1.7 trillion in 2023, according to Euromonitor.