Dubai nets highest annual international traveller spend – for now

Over the next decade, travel and tourism is on track to become a key driver of economic growth once again, with faster GDP growth than other sectors, generating 126 million new jobs around the world.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), GCC countries are currently leading the way in terms of annual international traveller spend, with Dubai topping the list with more than US$29 billion international traveller spend, followed by Doha at more than US$16 billion.

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The top 10 cities with biggest international travellers spend in 2022 were:

1. Dubai - US$29.42 billion
2. Doha - US$16.79 billion
3. London - US$16.07 billion
4. Macau - US$15.58 billion
5. Amsterdam - US$13.59 billion
6. Istanbul - US$13.13 billion
7. Barcelona - US$12.73 billion
8. New York - US$12.45 billion
9. Singapore - US$10.97 billion
10. Paris - US$9.76 billion

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In 2032, after the Asian markets have fully recovered from the pandemic, WTTC predicts the top 10 cities with biggest international traveller spend will be:

1. Hong Kong - US$52.06 billion (up 38 places from 2022)
2. Macau - US$43.14 billion (up two places from 2022)
3. Dubai - US$42.98 billion (down two places from 2022)
4. Singapore - US$37.43 billion (up five places from 2022)
5. Bangkok - US$33.45 billion (up seven places from 2022)
6. Doha - US$31.63 billion (down four places from 2022)
7. Tokyo US$25.44 billion (up 30 places from 2022)
8. New York US$21.73 billion (no change from 2022)
9. Amsterdam US$21.53 billion (down four places from 2022)
10. Shanghai - US$21.3 billion (up 11 places from 2022)