MasterCard data on Where International travelers spend money

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Now in its seventh year, the Global Destination Cities Index (GDCI) has transcended the race to the number
one ranking. Yes, it’s an honor to be known as the world’s most visited city (Bangkok). And to be recognized as
the fastest-growing destination (Osaka) is a confi rmation of capturing new dynamics and smart infrastructure
management. But it’s the stories within that distinguish this year’s report and accentuate the wealth of data behind it.
As a tracking study of international travel destinations, cross-border spend, and the internal patterns, the 2016
report has a mass of data that show appreciable trends and impactful stories. The Mastercard GDCI shows three
distinct story lines for 2016.
One: The growth trajectory of cities outside of the top 20 list.
Two: The deeper insights into the motivations and travel spend behavior of visitors to those cities.
Three: Changes in regional dynamics, especially in the Asia-Pacifi c region. Government offi cials, travel executives,
and other sectors of business will fi nd that this year’s report refl ects the changing nature of regional markets and
illustrates the unpredictable nature of the global consumer.
Although the study shows these “below the radar” markets, it is important to note the composition of the top cities
in the Index. Here the key metric is international visitors, in which Bangkok has achieved the top-ranked position
in 2016. Dubai is top ranked in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region (and ranked fourth globally). London is the
top-ranked in Europe in international visitors and ranked second globally. Lima is top ranked in Latin America. New
York tops North America (ranked fi fth globally). In terms of visitor spending, also a critical metric, Dubai made
a quantum leap to become the global top-ranked, based on a new estimate provided by the Dubai government.
London ranks second in terms of visitor spend, followed by New York, Bangkok, and Paris

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