PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur has secured its place as one of the top 10 global cities for international arrivals, according to a report by Euromonitor International.
“Congratulations to KL for being listed among the top 10 cities in terms of international tourist arrivals,” said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming in an Instagram post.
He highlighted that over 17.5 million tourists have visited Kuala Lumpur this year, reaffirming the city’s appeal as a world-class destination. Additionally, Kuala Lumpur has achieved recognition as the 73rd smartest city globally, further cementing its reputation for innovation and development.
“Let’s work together to make Malaysia great again,” Nga added, encouraging collective efforts to build on this achievement.
Global Trends in Tourism
Euromonitor International’s global head of loyalty, Nadeja Popova, reported a 19% surge in global international arrivals for 2024, spurred by robust tourism demand. Europe remained the leading region for travelers, hosting 793 million international trips this year.
The rankings were dominated by Bangkok, which led with 32 million arrivals, followed by Istanbul (23 million), London (21.7 million), Hong Kong (20.5 million), and Mecca (19.3 million). Kuala Lumpur rounded out the top 10, joining other iconic cities such as Antalya, Dubai, Macau, and Paris.
The Role of Sports, Culture, and Marketing
Euromonitor’s report noted that cities increasingly rely on sports and cultural events to drive tourism growth. Enhanced infrastructure and consistent marketing efforts have been pivotal in attracting millions of travelers worldwide.
As a leader in market intelligence, Euromonitor International continues to provide insights into the dynamics shaping industries, economies, and consumer behavior, highlighting Kuala Lumpur’s potential to climb even higher in global rankings.
With Kuala Lumpur’s growing prominence, Malaysia’s tourism sector is poised for even greater success on the international stage.