Bangkok edged the 2016 listing of 132 cities, beating London, Paris and Dubai to become top tourist destinations in the world in the MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities.
The British capital topped the 2015 ranking of global destinations, but Mastercard did not say why some of its shine had rubbed off for travelers this year.
Bangkok is well connected by air to the rest of the world and there are two airports in the city.
The British capital topped the 2015 ranking of global destinations, but Mastercard did not say why some of its shine had rubbed off for travelers this year.
The two cities have topped the ranking for most of its history.
Bangkok is a mix of exotic flavors and fragrances, Thai food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world and one can experience authentic Thai food at almost every nook and corner of Bangkok. From street vendors and stalls at markets selling mouth-watering Pad Thai to fine dining restaurants offering international cuisines, you will never run out of options in Bangkok when it comes to food.
Thailand expects to welcome a record 33 million visitors this year, thanks to a jump in the number of Chinese tourists.
Sprawling Bangkok is projected to receive 21.47 million international visitors in 2016, just ahead of second-ranked London, with 19.88 million visitors making it as top tourist destinations in the world.
Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple.
“It isn’t a flash in the pan. Bangkok is in a strong position to be the top destination city for a long time,” Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, Mastercard chief economist, told Reuters.
“There’s the value for money, especially for visitors coming from high-income countries.”
Tourism in Bangkok has been one of the rare bright spots for Thailand, which has grappled with weak consumer confidence and exports after a 2014 coup.
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