For the second consecutive year, Bucharest ranks among the top destinations in Europe with the highest development potential, according to the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index 2019, a study that provides significant analysis of urban tourism and tourist behavior over the last 10 years.
According to the study results, Bucharest records a percentage of 10.3% regarding development potential among cities in Europe.
The study also reveals that 1.4 million tourists used accommodation services in the last year, and the average daily spend reached $105, compared to the previous year when this amount stood at $200.
The top 10 European cities with the highest development potential are completed, in order, by Lisbon (2nd place), Tel Aviv (3rd place), Moscow, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Budapest, Santa Cruz de la Palma, Copenhagen, and Istanbul.
This year, the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index includes 200 cities, selected based on a thorough analysis of tourist volume and spending recorded in 2018. The study also provides growth forecasts for 2019, as well as information on the average length of stay and the amount spent per day by tourists.
This year, the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index reveals that Bangkok remains the number one destination in the world, with over 22 million tourists using accommodation services. Second and third places are occupied by Paris and London, both exceeding 19 million accommodated tourists.
Regarding the amount spent by tourists during a stay, Dubai is at the top of the list, where tourists spend an average of $553/day. For the first time this year, the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index offers 3 key trends regarding global tourism.
Consistent and balanced growth: in the last decade, the only constant has been change. Every year, more people travel internationally and spend more in the cities they visit.
For all destinations in the study, tourist flow has increased by an average of 6.5% year-over-year since 2009, and spending has increased by an average of 7.4%.
The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index ranks cities based on the total number of tourists using accommodation services and cross-border spending by those same tourists during 2018, while also providing forecasts for the growth potential of the number of tourists using accommodation services for 2019.
Source: Economica
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bucharest’s growth potential in European tourism?
Bucharest has a 10.3% development potential, ranking first in Europe for the second consecutive year according to the Mastercard Index.
How much do tourists spend on average in Bucharest?
In 2018, tourists spent an average of $105 per day in Bucharest, which is a decrease from the $200 average recorded the previous year.
Which cities lead the global tourism rankings?
Bangkok is the world’s top destination with over 22 million tourists, followed by Paris and London, while Dubai leads in daily tourist spending at $553.