One of many reasons tourists are attracted to Seoul -- historic palaces. The city expects to see 10.2 million international visitors in 2016, ranking it in 10th place in terms of popularity with global travelers. Click through the gallery to find out the most popular city.
10. Seoul, South Korea —
One of many reasons tourists are attracted to Seoul -- historic palaces. The city expects to see 10.2 million international visitors in 2016, ranking it in 10th place in terms of popularity with global travelers. Click through the gallery to find out the most popular city.
PARK JI-HWAN/AFP/Getty Images
Tokyo was lying outside the top 10 in 2015, but enters at number 9 as politically troubled Hong Kong drops down. The Japanese capital is forecast to receive 11.7 million visitors in 2016.
9. Tokyo, Japan —
Tokyo was lying outside the top 10 in 2015, but enters at number 9 as politically troubled Hong Kong drops down. The Japanese capital is forecast to receive 11.7 million visitors in 2016.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images
Istanbul still makes the list, albeit lower than 2015's fifth place. The past few months have seen the city -- alongside the rest of Turkey -- endure a failed coup attempt and its aftermath.
8. Istanbul, Turkey —
Istanbul still makes the list, albeit lower than 2015's fifth place. The past few months have seen the city -- alongside the rest of Turkey -- endure a failed coup attempt and its aftermath.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
Home to the tallest twin towers in the world, the Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur expects to welcome 12.02 million international visitors in 2016.
7. Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia —
Home to the tallest twin towers in the world, the Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur expects to welcome 12.02 million international visitors in 2016.
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The second most popular city in Asia with visitors, Singapore is expected to see 12.11 million visitors in 2016.
6. Singapore —
The second most popular city in Asia with visitors, Singapore is expected to see 12.11 million visitors in 2016.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images
New York is expected to draw 12.75 million international visitors in 2016.
5. New York City —
New York is expected to draw 12.75 million international visitors in 2016.
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Dubai outshines all its Middle Eastern neighbors in visitor arrivals. The city will host 15.27 million international visitors in 2016. It's also the top ranked global city for visitor spending, with travelers dropping $31.3 billion.
4. Dubai, United Arab Emirates —
Dubai outshines all its Middle Eastern neighbors in visitor arrivals. The city will host 15.27 million international visitors in 2016. It's also the top ranked global city for visitor spending, with travelers dropping $31.3 billion.
PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images
Paris has endured several deadly terror attacks in 2015 that have taken their toll on tourism. Nevertheless it continues rank in the top three, with 18.03 million visitors forecast for 2016.
3. Paris, France —
Paris has endured several deadly terror attacks in 2015 that have taken their toll on tourism. Nevertheless it continues rank in the top three, with 18.03 million visitors forecast for 2016.
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
London has topped the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index five of the past eight years. The expected 19.88 million international visitors expected in 2016 are not enough to keep it on top.
2. London, UK —
London has topped the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index five of the past eight years. The expected 19.88 million international visitors expected in 2016 are not enough to keep it on top.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Bangkok returns to the top spot for the first time since 2013. Political unrest has impacted visitor numbers in recent years, but in 2016, they've been surging back, with 21.47 million expected.
1. Bangkok, Thailand —
Bangkok returns to the top spot for the first time since 2013. Political unrest has impacted visitor numbers in recent years, but in 2016, they've been surging back, with 21.47 million expected.
Taylor Weidman/Getty Images