15:06 | New York (U.S.), Jun. 14.
Peruvian city of Cusco ranks second in the list of top ten cities where more than 90 percent of overnight visitor travel in 2017 was for purposes beyond business —such as vacation or family visits.
In other words, the index provides a roundup of the international destinations with the highest concentration of visitors traveling for relaxation and leisure.
According to the report, more and more vacationers opt to visit cities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Punta Cana leads the list. Plus, Riviera Maya, Cancun (Mexico), and Panama City complete the Latin American group along with
Cusco.
Thus, Latin America and the Caribbean claims five spots, offering a variety of attractions and activities for all sorts of travelers.
On the other hand, Punta Cana is a beach paradise in the Dominican Republic that faces both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and, according to the index, 99.9% of its visitors look for a place to relax and have fun.
The list includes several lesser-known destinations that cater to eco-tourists, history buffs, beachgoers, and adventure seekers.
With cultures uniquely their own but with a common focus on relaxation and fun, the top 10 cities include:
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (99.9%)
- Cusco, Peru (98%)
- Djerba, Tunisia (97.7%)
- Riviera Maya, Mexico (97.5%)
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain (97.2%)
- Cancun, Mexico (96.8%)
- Bali, Indonesia (96.7%)
- Panama City, Panama (96.3%)
- Orlando, United States (94.1%)
- Phuket, Thailand (93%)
Building on nearly a decade of insight into international travel trends, this Mastercard guide shows that special cities around the world are building a brand of fun, relaxation, and enjoyment for like-minded travelers.
"Travel allows us to broaden our horizons by exploring new places, people, and experiences," said Francis Hondal, president of loyalty and managed services at 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," she added.
Mastercard is focused on helping cardholders travel the world with peace of mind through seamless planning, conveniences, and connectivity at their destination and worry-free acceptance at millions of locations around the globe.
(END) NDP/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 6/14/2018