London wins world's most popular city again
LONDON has been crowned the world's most popular city for the fifth time in seven years.
Aerial of City of London at sunset
The UK capital is set to welcome 18.82 million overnight-stay overseas visitors this year, putting it at the top of a 132-city table compiled by MasterCard.
Bangkok, with 18.24 million over-night stay visitors expected, was in second place, with Paris third and Dubai fourth.
Visitors to London are set to spend 13.3 billion in 2015, while international travellers will make 382.9 million visits by air to the world's top 132 cities, collectively spending 236 billion.
London mayor Boris Johnson said: "I'm delighted that London has proudly held on to this coveted title, as we celebrate another triumphant and record-breaking year for tourism in the city.
"With London's unrivalled mix of history, culture, culinary gems and cutting-edge creativity, I'm confident that these accolades will keep coming as the capital continues to surprise and excite visitors from all over the world."
Tower Bridge and The Shard at sunset
With London's unrivalled mix of history, culture, culinary gems and cutting-edge creativity, I'm confident that these accolades will keep coming
These were the top 10 cities based on the expected number of foreign visitors making overnight-stay trips this year:
1. London - 18.82 million visitors
2. Bangkok - 18.24 million
3. Paris - 16.06 million
4. Dubai - 14.26 million
5. Istanbul - 12.56 million
London continues to beat its rival Paris
6. New York - 12.27 million
7. Singapore - 11.88 million
8. Kuala Lumpur - 11.12 million
9. Seoul - 10.35 million
10. Hong Kong - 8.66 million