Politics

Taipei ranks No. 20 in MasterCard tourist survey

Taipei, with its landmark 101 skyscraper and other attractions, ranks 20th in the latest MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index. (CNA)

• Publication Date：06/12/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Rachel Chan

Taipei City was ranked the world’s 20th best tourist destination in a survey published June 11 by U.S.-based MasterCard Inc.

The Global Destination Cities Index found Taipei to be a hot spot for international arrivals, estimating it will see average visitor spending rise 20.5 percent to US$1.05 billion this year.

“The secret of Taipei’s ranking is mainland Chinese tourists,” said Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, report author and MasterCard global economic advisor.

“The central government policy of allowing more visitors from mainland China to visit Taiwan has paid handsome dividends for Taipei, a city with great tourism potential and profound cultural and historic heritage.”

Hedrick-Wong also recommends that the government keep improving Taiwan’s tourism infrastructure and services to attract more overseas tourists.

According to the survey, London was the top destination for a second consecutive year. It is forecast to attract the highest level of international visitor spending on the strength of world-class museums, restaurants and theaters, as well as Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and the upcoming Summer Olympics.

Other top 10 metropolises in the report are Paris, Bangkok, Singapore, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Madrid, Dubai, Frankfurt and Kuala Lumpur, in that order.

Despite challenging global economic conditions, the survey’s 20 best cities are projected to see international visitor numbers and spending levels increase 5.7 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively.

The index, which is published annually, assess 132 cities using data provided by the International Air Transport Association, International Monetary Fund and U.N. (JSM)

Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw