{"id":128019,"date":"2016-06-25T10:00:54","date_gmt":"2016-06-25T08:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=128019"},"modified":"2016-06-24T17:55:50","modified_gmt":"2016-06-24T15:55:50","slug":"these-are-the-most-popular-tourist-attractions-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/128019\/these-are-the-most-popular-tourist-attractions-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"These are the most popular tourist attractions in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Lifestyle magazine Travel+Leisure has released its annual rankings of the world&#8217;s most popular tourist destinations, listing which spots see the most visitors every year.<\/p>\n<p>The list comprises both man-made and natural wonders, with some of the most iconic destinations across the world not even ranking in the top 50 &#8211; unsurprising when the world&#8217;s most visited tourist trap, The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, sees a massive 91 million people.<\/p>\n<p>According to the magazine, accessibility is one of the key drivers, as some remote wonders (such as Yellowstone Park in the USA) are too remote to see the massive traffic other destinations get, while places like Machu Picchu in Peru have become more restricted by government efforts maintain the site&#8217;s integrity.<\/p>\n<p>Travel+Leisure determined the ranking by using traffic data from the various sites, as well as government and reliable media data where they could find it.<\/p>\n<p>Tourist attractions are defined as cultural or historical sites, natural landmarks and officially designated spaces, excluding areas used for religious pilgrimages and modern shopping malls.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the 15\u00a0most visited tourist attractions in the world:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul &#8211; 91.25 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Bazaar.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128073\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Bazaar-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Grand Bazaar\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Bazaar-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Bazaar-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Bazaar-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Bazaar.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>2. The Z\u00f3calo, Mexico City &#8211; 85 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/The-Zocalo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128047\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/The-Zocalo-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"The Zocalo\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/The-Zocalo-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/The-Zocalo-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/The-Zocalo-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/The-Zocalo.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Times Square, New York City &#8211; 50 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Times-Square.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128049\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Times-Square-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Times Square\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Times-Square-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Times-Square-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Times-Square-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Times-Square.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Central Park, New York City 40 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Central-Park.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128051\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Central-Park-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Central Park\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Central-Park-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Central-Park-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Central-Park-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Central-Park.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Union Station, Washington, D.C. &#8211; 40 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Union-Station.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128053\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Union-Station-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Union Station\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Union-Station-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Union-Station-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Union-Station-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Union-Station.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Las Vegas Strip &#8211; 30.5 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Las-Vegas-strip.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128055\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Las-Vegas-strip-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Las Vegas strip\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Las-Vegas-strip-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Las-Vegas-strip-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Las-Vegas-strip-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Las-Vegas-strip.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo &#8211; 30 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Meiji-Jingu-Shrine.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128057\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Meiji-Jingu-Shrine-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Meiji Jingu Shrine\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Meiji-Jingu-Shrine-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Meiji-Jingu-Shrine-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Meiji-Jingu-Shrine-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Meiji-Jingu-Shrine.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Sensoji Temple, Tokyo &#8211; 30 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Sensoji-Temple.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128059\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Sensoji-Temple-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Sensoji Temple\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Sensoji-Temple-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Sensoji-Temple-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Sensoji-Temple-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Sensoji-Temple.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>9. Niagara Falls, New York and Ontario &#8211; 22 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Niagara-Falls.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128061\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Niagara-Falls-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Niagara Falls\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Niagara-Falls-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Niagara-Falls-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Niagara-Falls-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Niagara-Falls.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>10. Grand Central Terminal, New York City &#8211; 21.6 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Central.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128063\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Central-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Grand Central\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Central-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Central-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Central-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grand-Central.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>11. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City &#8211; 20 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Basilica-of-Our-Lady.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128065\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Basilica-of-Our-Lady-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Basilica of Our Lady\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Basilica-of-Our-Lady-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Basilica-of-Our-Lady-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Basilica-of-Our-Lady-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Basilica-of-Our-Lady.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>12. Disney World\u2019s Magic Kingdom, Orlando, FL &#8211; 18.6 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disney-World.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128067\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disney-World-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Disney World\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disney-World-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disney-World-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disney-World-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disney-World.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>13. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston &#8211; 18 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Faneuil-Hall-Boston.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128069\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Faneuil-Hall-Boston-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Faneuil Hall Boston\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Faneuil-Hall-Boston-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Faneuil-Hall-Boston-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Faneuil-Hall-Boston-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Faneuil-Hall-Boston.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>14. Tokyo Disneyland &#8211; 17.2 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Tokyo-Disney.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128071\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Tokyo-Disney-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Tokyo Disney\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Tokyo-Disney-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Tokyo-Disney-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Tokyo-Disney-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Tokyo-Disney.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>15. Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA &#8211; 16.2 million tourists<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disneyland-California.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-128075\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disneyland-California-640x430.jpg\" alt=\"Disneyland California\" width=\"640\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disneyland-California-640x430.jpg 640w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disneyland-California-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disneyland-California-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Disneyland-California.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The full ranking can be found on the <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.travelandleisure.com\/slideshows\/worlds-most-visited-tourist-attractions\">Travel+Leisure website<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\">More on travel<\/h3>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Permalink to This South African city is now the second cheapest in the world\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wealth\/127659\/this-south-african-city-is-now-the-second-cheapest-in-the-world\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">This South African city is now the second cheapest in the world<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Permalink to Cape Town has a plan for its infamous unfinished freeway\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/general\/127503\/cape-town-has-a-plan-for-its-infamous-unfinished-freeway\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Cape Town has a plan for its infamous unfinished freeway<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Permalink to The great South African rip-off\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/118338\/the-great-south-african-rip-off\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">The great South African rip-off<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Permalink to Countries where the South African rand is stronger\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wealth\/115760\/countries-where-the-south-african-rand-is-stronger\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Countries where the South African rand is stronger<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lifestyle magazine Travel+Leisure has released its annual rankings of the world&#8217;s most popular tourist destinations, listing which spots see the most visitors every year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":128081,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9876],"tags":[26],"class_list":["post-128019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-headline"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128019"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128019\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":128083,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128019\/revisions\/128083"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}