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Bangkok ranks third in the Global Top 20 Destinations in terms of both numbers of international visitors and spending, according to the latest MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index.

Despite sluggish global economic growth, the number of people travelling abroad continues to increase, according to Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, MasterCard Worldwide's global economic advisor.

Total visitor numbers is projected to increase 5.7% from 174.9 million to 184.9 million, while total cross-border spending will rise 10.6% from US$217.8 billion (6,752 billion baht) to $241 billion (7,471 billion baht).

London is the world's most popular destination; the UK capital is expected to welcome 16.9 million travellers throughout this year. Paris came in second with 16 million visitors.

Bangkok is the third top destination for the second consecutive year. The total number of international visitors grew 6.5%, from 11.5 million in 2011 to 12.2 million this year so far.

The fourth city is Singapore with 11.8 million visitors, while the fifth is Istanbul with 11.6 million visitors.

For the world top 20 destination cities by visitor spending, London is again in pole position. Visitor spending grew 10.3% in 2011 to $21.1 billion (654 billion baht), followed by New York at $19.4 billion (601 billion baht) and Bangkok, which moved up by one rank, displacing Paris. MasterCard forecasts that tourist spending in Bangkok will rise 16.6% to $19.3 billion (598 billion baht).

In fourth place is Paris ($17.8 billion, or 552 billion baht), while one place lower is Singapore ($12.7 billion or 394 billion baht).

"Visitors tend to stay longer once they get there, and they spend more as a result," said the researcher.

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Bangkok is Asia-Pacific's top destination city