The MasterCard Worldwide Index of Global Destination Cities is one of the longest-standing among the organization's Asia Pacific research indices. It ranks 132 cities around the world based on their number of international visitor arrivals and visitor spending. According to the latest survey, Chinese cities excelled in growth in both aspects and Beijing and Shanghai have become major destination cities for travellers worldwide and in the region. The two cities also made the top three cities in Asia Pacific with the fastest growth in number of international visitor arrivals.

　　London is the favorite destination city for travellers and expects to see in all about 20.1 million arrivals by the end of 2011, followed by Paris, then Bangkok. Shanghai placed 18th with about 5.5 million arrivals, whereas Bangkok took the top spot in Asia with Shanghai and Beijing ranking 6th and 9th. Worldwide, Shanghai placed 4th in growth of number of visitor arrivals at 18.6% and 2nd in growth of visitor spending at 24.3%, behind 31.0% boasted by Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

　　Among cities in Greater China, Hong Kong is still the most vibrant business center and travel destination. By number of arrivals, Hong Kong (5th), Shanghai (18th), Taipei (19th) are among the top 20 globally, whereas by visitor spending, only Hong Kong (10th) and Taipei (17th) made top 20. Based on spending, Taipei and Hong Kong both saw an increase of more than 20%.

　　Asia Pacific cities overall delivered strong performance. Among surveyed cities, eight in the region placed among the top 20 in number of arrivals and seven made the top 20 in visitor spending. Bangkok topped both lists in Asia Pacific, proving its attraction as the most mature global travel destination city in the region. Singapore and Hong Kong followed closely placing 2nd and 3rd and 3rd and 4th respectively. Other Asia Pacific cities that made the worldwide top 20 are Tokyo, Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur. The strong performances of Asia Pacific cities reflect the revival of consumption on the back of improving global economic conditions and the same trend applies to the competitiveness of tourism in Asian cities.

　　Findings of the survey showed, compared with 2009, the number of visitor arrivals and spending grew overall by 9.2% and 14.6% respectively in the 132 cities. The numbers point to bright prospects for global travelling as economies worldwide come out gradually from under the shadow of the economic crisis.