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Asia Pacific's top holiday destinations

Planning for your next long weekend getaway? You might want to consider visiting Bangkok.

According to the latest findings from the Mastercard Asia Pacific Destinations Index in 2017, the Thai capital is the most visited destination in Asia Pacific.

Overall, overnight arrivals to the 171 Asia Pacific destinations in 2016 stood at 339.2 million, led by Bangkok which tracked 19.3 million visitors.

Singapore came in second place with 13.1 million visitors, followed by Tokyo (12.6 million), Seoul (12.4 million) and Kuala Lumpur (11.3 million).

The top ten Asia Pacific destinations ranked by international overnight arrivals were:

  • 1. Bangkok – 19.3 million
  • 2. Singapore – 13.1 million
  • 3. Tokyo – 12.6 million
  • 4. Seoul – 12.4 million
  • 5. Kuala Lumpur – 11.3 million
  • 6. Phuket – 9.1 million
  • 7. Hong Kong – 8.9 million
  • 8. Pattaya – 8.1 million
  • 9. Osaka – 7.4 million
  • 10. Taipei – 7.4 million
ALSO READ: Regional list of public holidays 2017

However, when it comes to total visitor expenditure, Singapore continues to lead Bangkok, tracking a strong 18% leap in visitor spend over the past two years (2015-2016).

The Lion City was also one of only five destinations within the top 20 by total expenditure to reach a minimum spend of US$200 per day, attracting the highest spending visitors at US$254 per day.

This was followed by Beijing (US$242), Shanghai (US$234), Hong Kong (US$211) and Taipei (US$208).

The top ten Asia Pacific destinations ranked by expenditure include:

  • 1. Singapore – US$15.4 billion
  • 2. Bangkok – US$12.7 billion
  • 3. Tokyo – US$11.1 billion
  • 4. Taipei – US$9.9 billion
  • 5. Seoul – US$9.4 billion
  • 6. Bali – US$8.7 billion
  • 7. Phuket – US$8.3 billion
  • 8. Kuala Lumpur – US$7.3 billion
  • 9. Sydney – US$6.8 billion
  • 10. Hong Kong– US$6.6 billion
ALSO READ: Singapore is the world’s most expensive city (again)

Mastercard's new index also revealed that visitors to Asia Pacific destinations are traveling to the region more, and doing so for longer periods.

In 2016, visitors to the region stayed for a total of 1,768.7 million nights, up from 1,023.1 million nights in 2009.

When it comes to total nights stayed, Bangkok took the lead again with 87.6 million nights, while Sydney came in second place with 87.5 million, followed by Kuala Lumpur at 76.7 million.

The top ten Asia Pacific destinations ranked by total nights stayed were:

  • 1. Bangkok – 87.6 million
  • 2. Sydney – 87.5 million
  • 3. Kuala Lumpur – 76.7 million
  • 4. Tokyo – 74.3 million
  • 5. Melbourne – 62.9 million 6. Bali – 62.4 million
  • 7. Singapore – 60.7 million
  • 8. Seoul – 56.0 million
  • 9. Brisbane – 51.8 million
  • 10. Taipei – 47.8 million
Photo / 123RF

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