#1 LONDON | HIGHLIGHTS: NIGHTLIFE, AIRPORT CONNECTIVITY | As the world keeps fighting an invisible enemy, there are a few cities that have kept themselves in the global spotlights. London is among them – but it has not been easy. The double whammy of the Brexit and pandemic made it the worst year economically since the 2008 recession. However, venture capital investment into London’s fintech sector is already at a record high this year and Heathrow Airport ranked No. 1 in Resonance Consultancy’s World’s Best Cities in the ‘connectivity’ subcategory.
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#2 PARIS | HIGHLIGHTS: LANDMARKS, SHOPPING | While France faces a debilitating unemployment crisis, it also aligned itself with the need for natural therapy for its residents. Museums have a tendency to distract one from the society’s perils, and Paris is building on this idea. The French city is expanding and refurbishing its lesser-known museums to revitalise not just international tourists, but its own people. Among the most anticipated is Musée Carnavalet, situated in a former private mansion once belonging to Madame de Sévigné. It will be an experiential ode to the City of Light that presents the history of Paris like no other.
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#3 NEW YORK | HIGHLIGHTS: GOOGLE TRENDS, CULTURE | New York witnessed a huge spike in COVID-19 cases. ‘Gotham city’ became one of the epicentres for America’s COVID-19 cases and deeply scarred its tourism sector. However, the city has always ranked tops for popular spots like Central Park, Empire State Building, Madison Avenue and so on. Even the gateways into the town are now being renovated: LaGuardia’s redesigned Terminal B features 35 new gates, along with retail, restaurants and amenities that more than double the previous offering.
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#4 MOSCOW | HIGHLIGHTS: MUSEUMS, LANDMARKS | As the world was fighting against COVID-19, Russia had its own crises situation with climate change. The year’s other wrath—extreme weather conditions —hit Moscow hard when, in June, torrential rains and heavy winds resulted in flooding streets and recently renovated subway lines and uprooting trees. The storm hit in the middle of a record-setting heat wave that baked Moscow and St. Petersburg to their highest June temperatures on record. However, Moscow recovered due to its My Street program that launched in 2015. Costing more than $3 billion, My Street is narrowing the city’s tank avenues (and Moscow’s car-centric roads) into more walkable experiences.
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#5 DUBAI | HIGHLIGHTS: SAFETY, FOREIGN POPULATION | From a bird’s eye view at Burj Khalifa to the world’s richest horse race, Dubai has reinvented itself to become one of the world most attractive business and tourist destinations. With an Expo days away, the emirate expects to draw 25 million visitors. The Museum of the Future is also expected to be completed later this year, providing more magnetism to a place eager for it post-lockdown. And joining the world’s tallest Ferris wheel – Ain Dubai – will be a John Wick rollercoaster, part of the Motiongate Dubai theme park.
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#6 TOKYO | HIGHLIGHTS: RESTAURANTS | Despite earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons, Tokyo has long held on to its top spot as the safest metropolis on the planet. However, Tokyo’s most ambitious project of hosting summer Olympics could not have come at a worse possible time. Tens of billions spent on infrastructure to welcome the world was mostly ignored and the 2,000 hotels, inns and guest houses opened around the city will be sinking under a debt load for years. Despite all that, the Japanese government remained steadfast and sticking to its target of 60 million visitors and $136 billion in tourism revenue by 2030.
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#7 SINGAPORE | HIGHLIGHTS: GDP PER CAPITA, SAFETY | Singapore has been one of the bespoke cities in the world for decades because of its unique ways of absorbing change. The city is currently reinvesting into research and talent, ensuring it will be home to a wealthy citizenry. The government has already committed $16 billion to establish Singapore as a global research and development hub.
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#8 LOS ANGELES | HIGHLIGHTS: GOOGLE SEARCH, UNIVERSITIES | Los Angeles had to face the repercussions of pandemic induced uncertainties. Unemployment and a dip in tourism activities deepened the city’s economic crises. However, the city is expected to make a comeback when it opens a new attraction on Olvera Street at LA Plaza Village. The ‘LA Plaza Cocina’ will be the first museum and teaching kitchen dedicated to Mexican food in the US. The city is also going big with a visually stunning Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, punctuated with a temporary exhibit of acclaimed artist Hayao Miyazaki.
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#9 BARCELONA | HIGHLIGHTS: NIGHTLIFE, TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS | Barcelona is Europe’s ‘go-to’ city. With near-perfect weather year-round, miles and miles of beaches, iconic parks, striking architecture and colorful neighborhoods, Barcelona is a getaway destination for a European holiday. Despite a difficult half-decade of terrorist attacks and mass protests, tourism dipped momentarily before bouncing back. However, COVID-19 had other plans. Due to a surge in infection rates, countries like France had put a travel ban on Barcelona, further hurting its tourism sector. After deciding to open up its borders to fully vaccinated citizens, Barcelona is once again fuelling its tourism sector by betting on its outdoor landscapes.
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#10 MADRID | HIGHLIGHTS: NIGHTLIFE, GOOGLE TRENDS | Madrid suffered during the pandemic early on, when it was one of the planet’s hardest hit capitals. However, the Spanish capital is getting back on its feet, continuing a much-needed investment in its infrastructure and public assets that is fuelling its city-building legacy. The city is also investing in social housing and equitable development with the Madrid Nuevo Norte Project, currently Europe’s largest urban redevelopment initiative.
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