You don’t need to tell me twice to visit Paris. It’s sophisticated, and full of fine art, fashion, and food as rich as its history. Clearly, I’m not alone, as a new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals the French capital is the world’s most powerful city destination.
What does it mean to be the world’s most powerful city destination?
The latest research from WTCC shows that city visits are becoming increasingly popular post-pandemic, with many cities funneling major money into their travel and tourism sectors. Paris, which took the top spot in the study, contributed nearly $36 billion to France’s GDP in 2022, making for an estimated 3.5 percent of the city’s economy last year. The city’s industry is anticipated to climb to $49 billion by 2032, but that doesn’t mean it will continue to be the frontrunner.
Beijing may soon surpass Paris
Paris isn’t the only city pouring large funds into its travel and tourism sector. Beijing, which took second on the rankings list, is expected to surpass Paris by 2032. The city’s sector is worth almost $33 billion and is predicted to rise to $77 billion by 2032.
But new, unexpected cities will rise in rankings
While it’s really no surprise that Paris, Beijing, New York, and London are among the top 10 most powerful cities in the world, the report notes that in the next 10 years, unexpected destinations will climb the rankings.
“Tourists will always have favorite cities that they will return to, but as other countries prioritize Travel and Tourism, we are going to see new and emerging destinations challenging the traditional favorites,” Julia Simpson, the WTTC president and CEO, said in a statement.
The Polish capital Warsaw shows promising growth, with a 14.4 percent increase in its GDP contribution in 2022 compared to 2019. And Sanya, the Chinese coastal city known for its stunning beaches, revealed a growth of 10.2 percent, with its Travel and Tourism sector representing 43.6 percent of the city’s total economy during the same period.
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