According to the survey results released on 4 December, Johannesburg attracted 4.05 million international overnight visitors in 2017. Close on its heels, Marrakech in Morocco is the second most popular African destination city, welcoming 3.93 million international overnight visitors last year.

Polokwane came in at third with 1.88 million, beating Cape Town which attracted 1.73 million visitors, and Djerba in Tunisia with 1.65 million rounded out the top five African cities ranked in the Index.

Mastercard said Johannesburg also recorded the highest international overnight visitor expenditure among African cities with travellers spending U.S.$2.14 billion in 2017, well ahead of Marrakech which stood at U.S.$1.64 billion.

On average, international visitors stayed 10.9 nights and spent U.S.$48 per day in Johannesburg, with shopping accounting for more than 50% of their total spend.

The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index ranks the world’s top 162 destination cities in terms of visitor volume and spend for the 2017 calendar year. It also provides insight on the fastest growing destination cities, and a deeper understanding of why people travel and how they spend around the world.

Punta Cana leads 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. The list includes several lesser-known destinations that cater to eco-tourists, history buffs, beach goers and adventure seekers.

With cultures uniquely their own but a common focus on relaxation and fun, the cities are:

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%)

“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.”

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. Compelling travel offerings and benefits help travelers every step of their journey. More information can be found at mastercard.com.

Additional insights from the 2018 Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index will be released later this year.