MasterCard released its Global Destination Cities Index: Play report last week, revealing international travel trends surrounding luxury travel. The report compiled top cities where more than 90 percent of overnight visitor travel in 2017 was for a non-business purpose. The purposes ranged from family visits to vacation, eco-tourism to adventure travel.
The top 10 destinations, with percentages of leisure travel versus business travel, included:
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (99.9 percent)
- Cusco, Peru (98 percent)
- Djerba, Tunisia (97.7 percent)
- Riviera Maya, Mexico (97.5 percent)
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain (97.2 percent)
- Cancun, Mexico (96.8 percent)
- Bali, Indonesia (96.7 percent)
- Panama City, Panama (96.3 percent)
- Orlando, United States (94.1 percent)
- Phuket, Thailand (93 percent)
“Travel allows us to broaden our horizons by exploring new places, people and experiences,” said Francis Hondal, president of loyalty and managed services, MasterCard. “The MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index: Play shows that special cities around the world are tapping into that trend and building a brand of fun, relaxation and enjoyment for like-minded travelers.”
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