The top tourist destinations in 2017

Maureen O'Hare
By Maureen O'Hare, CNN
6 minute read
Updated 6:21 AM EST, Thu November 16, 2017
<strong>25. Shanghai: </strong>China's eastern metropolis is number 25 on the list of the world's most visited cities according to an annual report by Euromonitor International. The city hadhad a 4.3 percent growth, with 6.9 million people visiting in 2016 and 7.2 million expected in 2017. Click through the gallery find out which city was the most popular destination.
25. Shanghai: China's eastern metropolis is number 25 on the list of the world's most visited cities according to an annual report by Euromonitor International. The city hadhad a 4.3 percent growth, with 6.9 million people visiting in 2016 and 7.2 million expected in 2017. Click through the gallery find out which city was the most popular destination.
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<strong>24. Pattaya: </strong>The Thai city famed for its beaches also fared well, with 7.02 million people traveling there in 2016 and 7.3 million expected in 2017.
24. Pattaya: The Thai city famed for its beaches also fared well, with 7.02 million people traveling there in 2016 and 7.3 million expected in 2017.
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<strong>23. Barcelona</strong>: The Spanish capital was listed as the sixth most visited European city despite being hit by its worst-ever terrorist attack in 2017.
23. Barcelona: The Spanish capital was listed as the sixth most visited European city despite being hit by its worst-ever terrorist attack in 2017.
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<strong>22. Mumbai: </strong>Tourism is on the rise in India's largest city Euromonitor predicts it will receive 8.9 million visitors in 2017.
22. Mumbai: Tourism is on the rise in India's largest city Euromonitor predicts it will receive 8.9 million visitors in 2017.
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<strong>21. Delhi: </strong>The Indian capital also experienced strong growth, with tourism expected to be up by 37.7% in 2017.
21. Delhi: The Indian capital also experienced strong growth, with tourism expected to be up by 37.7% in 2017.
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<strong>20. Miami</strong>: This Florida hotspot is the second most popular US city for tourists.
20. Miami: This Florida hotspot is the second most popular US city for tourists.
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<strong>19. Mecca: </strong>Almost eight million tourists headed to the Saudi Arabian holy city in 2016 and this number will increase to 8.7 million in 2017, according to Euromonitor's forecast.
19. Mecca: Almost eight million tourists headed to the Saudi Arabian holy city in 2016 and this number will increase to 8.7 million in 2017, according to Euromonitor's forecast.
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<strong>18. Prague:</strong> The Czech Republic capital ranked as the fifth most visited city in Europe, with 8.5 million visitors expected in 2017.
18. Prague: The Czech Republic capital ranked as the fifth most visited city in Europe, with 8.5 million visitors expected in 2017.
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<strong>17. Guangzhou</strong>: Tourism is set to increase by 5.3% in this southern China city, which is located in the province of Guangdong.
17. Guangzhou: Tourism is set to increase by 5.3% in this southern China city, which is located in the province of Guangdong.
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<strong>16. Seoul:</strong> Tourism is predicted to decrease by 14.9% in South Korea's capital -- Euromonitor indicates it will receive 7.66 million visitors in 2017 despite nine million traveling there in 2016.
16. Seoul: Tourism is predicted to decrease by 14.9% in South Korea's capital -- Euromonitor indicates it will receive 7.66 million visitors in 2017 despite nine million traveling there in 2016.
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<strong>15. Istanbul</strong>: Fewer and fewer tourists are visiting this Turkish city, which has been the target of many terrorist attacks, and numbers are forecast to decline by 5.8% in 2017.
15. Istanbul: Fewer and fewer tourists are visiting this Turkish city, which has been the target of many terrorist attacks, and numbers are forecast to decline by 5.8% in 2017.
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<strong>14. Taipei:</strong> Tourist arrivals to the Taiwanese capital are set to grow by just 1.0% in 2017, with an expected 9.3 million visitors.
14. Taipei: Tourist arrivals to the Taiwanese capital are set to grow by just 1.0% in 2017, with an expected 9.3 million visitors.
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<strong>13. Tokyo:</strong> Visitors to Japan's bustling capital are set to rise by 4.8%, with 9.27 million expected by the end of 2017.
13. Tokyo: Visitors to Japan's bustling capital are set to rise by 4.8%, with 9.27 million expected by the end of 2017.
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<strong>12. Rome</strong>: The Eternal City took in a total of 9.4 million tourists in 2016.
12. Rome: The Eternal City took in a total of 9.4 million tourists in 2016.
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<strong>11. Phuket:</strong> Situated on Phuket Island in Thailand, Phuket remains a hit with tourists, with a 14% growth forecast for 2017.
11. Phuket: Situated on Phuket Island in Thailand, Phuket remains a hit with tourists, with a 14% growth forecast for 2017.
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<strong>10. Kuala Lumpur: </strong>Malaysia's capital received 12.29 million visitors in 2016 and this is predicted to increase by 4.5% in 2017.
10. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's capital received 12.29 million visitors in 2016 and this is predicted to increase by 4.5% in 2017.
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<strong>9. Shenzhen: </strong>Tourism is on the up in this wealthy Chinese city, which is predicted to receive an increase of 3.1% visitors by the close of 2017.
9. Shenzhen: Tourism is on the up in this wealthy Chinese city, which is predicted to receive an increase of 3.1% visitors by the close of 2017.
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<strong>8. New York City: </strong>NYC retains its position as the most visited US city and will receive an estimated 13.1 million visitors this year.
8. New York City: NYC retains its position as the most visited US city and will receive an estimated 13.1 million visitors this year.
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<strong>7. Paris: </strong>The City of Light is still the second most visited city in Europe, but tourism is predicted to be down by 0.9% this year, which is likely to be the result of terrorist attacks.
7. Paris: The City of Light i