Bangkok has confirmed its position because the central center of world tourism. In its latest report, Euromonitor International named the Thai capital probably the most visited city on the planet in 2025 when it comes to international arrivals.
Approximately 30.3 million international visitors arrived in Bangkok through the 12 months, making it probably the most visited destination on the planet. This achievement placed the town at the highest of the list of the world’s most visited cities, ahead of major urban centers in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Asia’s dominance in the worldwide tourism landscape in 2025
The 12 months 2025 has further highlighted Asia’s dominance in international travel flows. Three Asian cities have secured places in the highest five most visited places on the planet. Along with Bangkok in first place, Hong Kong was in second place with an estimated 23.2 million international arrivals.
The increase in visitors to Hong Kong was driven by a rise of about six percent in comparison with the previous 12 months. The city used improved transport infrastructure and the hosting of large-scale international events as most important attractions.
The opening of the Kai Tak Stadium, which hosted major international football matches, and the reopening of the expanded Terminal 2 at Hong Kong International Airport, significantly improved connectivity and increased arrivals.
In third place was London, which recorded around 22.7 million arrivals from abroad, making it probably the most visited city in Europe in 2025. However, this number continues to be lower than Hong Kong’s total.
Paris, which has been recognized as probably the most attractive city on the planet for five years in a row, with 18.3 million guests ranks only ninth when it comes to foreign arrivals.
Dynamics of probably the most visited cities on the planet
Bangkok’s popularity didn’t occur overnight. The city has long been a favourite destination for international travelers, especially independent and long-haul travelers.
In recent years, this appeal has been further enhanced by the rapid development of the hotel sector, a various and globally recognized culinary scene and an increasingly vibrant nightlife.
One of the unique attractions this 12 months is Charoen Nakhon Road, which was voted probably the most attractive streets on the planet. Moreover, the so-called “white lotus effect” was mentioned as certainly one of the aspects contributing to the rise in tourist interest in Thailand in 2025.
Meanwhile, Macau ranked fourth on the planet with 20.4 million international arrivals and emerged as probably the most dynamic city when it comes to growth. Arrivals to the town increased by about 14 percent, with almost 90 percent of tourists coming from mainland China and Hong Kong.
A series of cross-border travel measures, including multiple entry programs for residents of Zhuhai and Hengqin, have strengthened Macau’s position as a number one regional destination.
Global trends: strong growth amid management challenges
According to Euromonitor International, the world’s 100 largest cities are expected to receive a complete of 702 million international trips in 2025, an eight percent increase in comparison with the previous 12 months.
Together, these cities account for about 46 percent of world inbound tourism, far outpacing overall global tourism growth, which is about 4 percent.
The “Top 100 City Destinations 2025 Index” evaluates cities using over 50 indicators, including tourism performance, economic and business activity, infrastructure, tourism policy and attractiveness, health and safety, and sustainability.
The Asia-Pacific region saw the best growth, with international arrivals up around 10 percent year-on-year. However, the surge in visitor numbers has also created recent challenges, particularly when it comes to destination management and increasing pressure on urban infrastructure.
Top 10 most visited cities on the planet in 2025
- Bangkok, Thailand – 30.3 million
- Hong Kong – 23.2 million
- London, UK – 22.7 million
- Macao, China – 20.4 million
- Istanbul, Türkiye – 19.7 million
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 19.5 million
- Mecca, Saudi Arabia – 18.7 million
- Antalya, Türkiye – 18.6 million
- Paris, France – 18.3 million
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 17.3 million
