Summary
Paris Ranked Most Powerful City
Paris is always a good idea, as the saying goes, and now it’s also officially the world’s most powerful city.
The French capital was ranked as the most powerful city destination by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The rankings took into account various factors, including the contribution travel and tourism make to the GDP, employment, and traveler spending habits.
Overall, travel and tourism contributed nearly $36 billion to France’s GDP in 2022, representing about 3.5 percent of the city’s economy that year.
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Beijing’s Growth Predictions
Beijing, which took the second spot on the list, is expected to surpass Paris by 2032. Currently, Beijing has a travel and tourism sector worth nearly $33 billion; however, the WTTC predicts that this will grow to $77 billion in 10 years.
China recently dropped its strict quarantine policy. Nonetheless, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised Americans to “reconsider travel” to the country due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Emerging Destinations on the Rise
“Major cities such as London, Paris, and New York will remain global powerhouses but over the next few years, Beijing, Shanghai, and Macau will be moving up the list of top city destinations,” Julia Simpson, the WTTC president and CEO, stated in a communication. She noted that tourists will always have favorite cities to which they will return; nevertheless, as other countries prioritize travel and tourism, new emerging destinations will challenge the traditional favorites.
Top U.S. Travel Destinations
Orlando took the third spot on the list with a travel and tourism sector worth more than $31 billion, accounting for over 20% of the city’s economy. Elsewhere in the United States, Las Vegas came in at No. 5, with a travel and tourism sector worth nearly $23 billion, representing 16.3% of the city’s economy.
Popularity with International Travelers
When it came to popularity with international travelers, Dubai won out, followed by Doha, London, Macau, and Amsterdam. On that list, Paris claimed the No. 10 position.
