by Sterling Wong

London has overtaken Bangkok as the top destination for international travelers on the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, as political unrest in the Southeast Asian city kept visitors away.

Bangkok, while retaining its leading position among Asia-Pacific cities, may draw 16.4 million international overnight visitors this year, an 11 percent decline from 2013, the index showed. London retook the top spot with an 8 percent increase in travelers to 18.7 million. Four other Asian cities -- Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Seoul -- also ranked among the top 10 destinations.

“The prominence of the South East Asian cities on the Index demonstrates the importance that trade and tourism plays in these economies,” Matthew Driver, Southeast Asia president of MasterCard Inc., said in a statement. These cities “have clearly benefited from a deliberate and ongoing investment in travel capacity and infrastructure,” he said.

Bangkok also lost its position as the top Asian city in terms of international visitor spending on the MasterCard index that ranks 132 cities on the basis of total international visitors as well as cross-border spending by them. The Thai capital may see an estimated $13.04 billion in spending this year, behind Singapore at $14.34 billion, it showed.

Bangkok has bounced back before from military coups, a tsunami, financial upheaval, floods and riots.Thailand’s net foreign direct investment inflows were about $11 billion in 2012, trailing only Indonesia and Singapore in the region. The benchmark stock gauge, which fell 10 percent in the final two months of 2013 during street protests against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, is up 16 percent this year, four times the gain for the MSCI Asia Pacific Index.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sterling Wong in Singapore at swong470@bloomberg.net

Reblogged from Bloomberg

NEW DELHI, June 13 ― Malaysia has bagged the Best Family Destination Award at the Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2014.

India Tourism Malaysia Director, Manoharan Periasamy said Lonely Planet recommendations were the most sought after by travellers and to be chosen by their readers made the award even more prestigious. 

“It feels great to be honoured with this recognition. We have always promoted Malaysia as a destination that has something for everyone, especially families, who look for a wholesome experience to cater to the likes of every member of the family,” he said after receiving the award at a function held in Mumbai, Maharashtra recently.India Tourism Malaysia Director, Manoharan Periasamy said Lonely Planet recommendations were the most sought after by travellers and to be chosen by their readers made the award even more prestigious.

The Lonely Planet award is a significant achievement for Malaysia, a country that prides itself for being the perfect family destination.

“Be it shopping, adventure, theme parks or even golf, Malaysia is one place where the preferences of every member of the family are taken care of,” he added.

Malaysia won the Best Destination for Food & Drink (International) Award at Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2013. ― Bernama

Reblogged from MalayMailOnline