Hong Kong Climbs To The Coveted Second Spot In 2025’s International Arrivals Rankings, Delivering A Powerful Statement Of Recovery And Global Appeal, While Paris Remains The World’s Most Visited City

Published on December 9, 2025

Hong Kong has surged to second place in the 2025 global tourism rankings, reflecting a remarkable recovery in international arrivals, with an estimated 23.2 million visitors. This impressive comeback positions Hong Kong as a major player in the global tourism scene, driven by enhanced connectivity, vibrant events, and a thriving retail sector. While Paris continues to dominate as the world’s most attractive city for the fifth consecutive year, Hong Kong’s rise underscores its renewed appeal as a gateway to Greater China and Asia, attracting travelers eager to experience its unique blend of culture, commerce, and modernity.

For the fifth consecutive year, Paris has secured its position as the world’s most attractive city, according to Euromonitor International’s 2025 Top 100 City Destinations Index. The French capital remains the top choice for travelers globally, but this year, Hong Kong has demonstrated remarkable recovery, ranking second in international arrivals. With an estimated 23.2 million visitors, Hong Kong surpasses London, which holds third place, and follows closely behind Bangkok, which leads the list.

Euromonitor’s index evaluates cities based on factors such as tourism performance, sustainability, economic health, and safety. Paris continues to dominate, but Spain’s Madrid has risen to second place, while Italy’s Rome and Milan claim fourth and fifth spots respectively. Amsterdam, at seventh, and Barcelona, at eighth, also make appearances in the top ten. London, despite boasting excellent tourism infrastructure, has seen a significant drop, slipping to 18th place in the rankings due to lower scores in tourism policy, health and safety, and sustainability measures. Hong Kong, ranking just ahead of Kyoto at 17th, continues to grow in prominence as a global tourism hub.

The Asia-Pacific region is seeing strong performance as well, with Tokyo securing the third spot overall and ranking high for tourism infrastructure. Major upgrades at Narita International Airport, including a third runway and expansion of the second runway, will double the airport’s capacity by 2039, which further bolsters Tokyo’s position as a key player in global tourism. Singapore and Seoul also make their mark, securing ninth and tenth places, respectively. New York stands as the only U.S. city in the top ten, claiming sixth place. Los Angeles has also shown progress, moving up to 13th.

In the U.S., Orlando stands out for its tourism performance. The city’s growth stems from strong domestic travel, the opening of the Epic Universe theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, and major upgrades at SeaWorld and Disney World. Additionally, Orlando benefitted from hosting six FIFA Club World Cup matches in 2025, contributing to its increasing popularity as a top destination.

Hong Kong’s rise in international arrivals is particularly notable, highlighting the city’s recovery as a crucial gateway to Greater China and the broader Asian region. In 2025, Hong Kong expects to welcome 23.2 million visitors, ranking second in international arrivals behind Bangkok, which leads with 30.3 million. London follows closely with 22.7 million visitors, and Macao rounds out the top four with 20.4 million visitors. Hong Kong’s impressive ranking reflects its enhanced connectivity, strategic events, and retail-driven tourism that have driven a resurgence in visitor numbers.

Euromonitor also notes a shift in global tourism strategies, as destinations are increasingly focusing on attracting visitors who bring more economic value rather than just higher volume. Cities are prioritizing high-value tourists who stay longer, spend more, and engage responsibly with local communities and environments. This shift comes in response to overtourism, rising security concerns, and inflation, all of which are influencing tourism policies worldwide. To manage these challenges, cities are introducing higher entry fees and adopting electronic travel authorizations.

For example, both the UK and the US raised their travel fees in 2025. The European Union is also preparing to implement its European Travel Authorisation System (ETIAS) next year, which will come with an increased fee. Japan, in response to growing tourism, is considering hiking visa fees and introducing a new e-authorization system that may debut by 2028.

The tourism landscape in 2025 is shifting towards a more sustainable and manageable model. Cities are adjusting to these changes by focusing on attracting visitors who bring more economic benefit and respect for local cultures and environments. As travel behaviors evolve, the impact of overtourism has led many cities to reevaluate how they manage tourism flows. Efforts to address these challenges will shape the future of urban tourism, encouraging destinations to refine their offerings while balancing growth with sustainability.

Hong Kong has surged to second place in the 2025 global tourism rankings, thanks to its strong recovery and growing appeal as a leading destination in Asia. This rise reflects improved connectivity, dynamic events, and a thriving retail sector, positioning Hong Kong as a key player behind Paris.

Top 10 City Destinations 2025: Paris, Madrid, Tokyo, Rome, Milan, New York, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Singapore, Seoul.

Top Cities for International Arrivals 2025: Bangkok (30.3 million); Hong Kong (23.2 million); London (22.7 million); Macao (20.4 million); Istanbul (19.7 million); Dubai (19.5 million); Mecca (18.7 million); Antalya (18.6 million); Paris (18.3 million); Kuala Lumpur (17.3 million).