Dubai Leads The Middle East As Paris Tops Global Tourism In Latest Euromonitor Report
When it comes to travel, no place beats Dubai in the Middle East. No wonder, it has been ranked 12th globally, consolidating its position as the leading city destination in the region. The index attributes Dubai’s performance to strong visitor numbers, a full calendar of international events, and high occupancy levels in the city’s affordable luxury hotel segment.
Meanwhile, Paris has been named the world’s leading city destination for tourism for the fifth consecutive year, according to Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025, welcoming more than 18 million international visitors and maintaining its lead ahead of Madrid, Tokyo, Rome and Milan.
The report identifies Madrid, Tokyo, Rome and Milan as the next highest-ranked destinations, citing their robust tourism offerings and standout initiatives. These cities, alongside Paris, are recognised for maintaining visitor demand amid economic pressures and shifting travel patterns across major urban centres worldwide.
Eight cities from five countries in the Middle East and Africa appeared in the top 100, reflecting the region’s strategic tourism development. Dubai remained the top regional destination, drawing visitors primarily from India, the UK, Saudi Arabia and Russia, according to Euromonitor International’s analysis.
Abu Dhabi and Doha were highlighted as key drivers of regional growth, particularly in tourism infrastructure and services. The planned unified GCC tourist visa is expected to improve connectivity between Gulf states and support the region’s ambition to strengthen its leadership in global tourism.
International arrivals to leading cities increased in 2025, with Asia Pacific recording the strongest regional rise at 10 percent, followed by the Middle East and Africa at 7 percent. Bangkok topped the global arrivals list with 30.3 million visitors, ahead of Hong Kong, London and Macau.
Euromonitor International links this momentum to visa relaxations, major infrastructure upgrades and high-profile cultural and sporting events. These factors improved access and visitor experiences, supporting higher volumes across many destinations included in the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025.
Nadejda Popova, global head of loyalty at Euromonitor International, said: "Even amid economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty, global travel proved exceptionally resilient in 2025. International arrivals to the top 100 cities climbed 8% to 702 million, highlighting the ability of cities to adapt, innovate and deliver experiences that travellers continue to find irresistible."
The report notes that sustainability remains central to tourism strategies, with Spanish cities Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Seville named among leaders in eco-focused measures, alongside Helsinki and Oslo. These cities are prioritising environmental considerations while maintaining competitiveness in the global tourism market.
Euromonitor International’s annual report, produced in partnership with data company Lighthouse, highlights Paris’s strong tourism infrastructure, cultural appeal and sustainability focus as key drivers of performance. The French capital retained first place in the global index, underscoring its continued strength as an international travel hub in 2025.
Artificial intelligence is playing a growing role in tourism management and visitor services, the index finds. Examples include New York’s smart city platforms, Bangkok’s digital arrival cards, and Abu Dhabi’s AI-powered services, all designed to streamline processes and support data-driven urban tourism planning.
Popova commented, "City destinations are entering a pivotal new era, marked by ambitious investment, rapid innovation and the widescale integration of AI. As cities compete for visitors, the focus is shifting towards sustainability, resilience and delivering meaningful, personalised experiences. The 2025 Index highlights those destinations that are not only thriving today but also setting the standard for the future of urban tourism."
Sign in with Google