10 Most Popular Travel Destinations Of 2016

At No. 10 on the Global Destinations Cities Index report for 2016 is Seoul with 10.2 million international overnight visitors. While in Seoul, you can stroll through beautiful, historic Bukchon Hanok Village or check out the Buddhist temple of Bongeunsa — or enjoy world-class cuisine.

Making it into the top 10 travel destinations this year at No. 9, Tokyo's projected number of international overnight visitors was 11.7 million. Japan is home to countless temples and shrines. You can spend time visiting some of these if you travel to Tokyo or go by the famous Harajuku district.

Istanbul fell from the top five in 2015 to the eighth most-visited destination of 2016 with 11.95 million international overnight visitors. According to The Independent, a decline in tourism this year could be a result of "terrorism and political instability." However, if you're one of the millions who are still traveling there, you can't pass trying some neighborhood restaurants.

Kuala Lumpur's projected number of international visitors this year was 12.02 million. Located in the city's Chinatown area, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Malaysian temple and worth a visit if you're passing through.

With 12.11 million projected international overnight visitors, Singapore comes in at No. 6 on the list. If you've never been to Universal Studios in the U.S., there's one in Singapore you can go to while you're visiting. Along with amusement parks, Singapore has everything from temples, gardens, and wildlife preserves to resorts, food markets, and museums — and one of the world's great restaurant scenes.

New York City's projected number of international overnight visitors for 2016 was 12.75 million people. If you find yourself in one of NYC's bustling boroughs, make time, at the very least, to grab dinner followed by a Broadway show in Manhattan and do some landmark sightseeing of the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building.

Dubai kept its spot in the top five from 2015 with 15.27 million overnight visitors. Known for its luxury, Dubai calls to those who appreciate great food, modern architecture, and intriguing sites such as Atlantis, The Palm's underwater suites.

Paris kept its place in third with 18.03 million international visitors this year. Enjoy roaming the City of Love, wandering into cheese shops and bakeries, or taking a more touristy route by visiting the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Dropping into second place, London had 19.88 million international overnight visitors. A seemingly endless list of famous landmarks and rich history makes London a continually popular destination for travelers — not to mention culinary diversity.

Up from 18.24 million international visitors in 2015, Bangkok was the No. 1 most-visited destination of 2016 with 21.47 million international overnight visitors. What isn't there to do in Bangkok? Beautiful temples, gardens, wildlife, floating markets, a lively nightlife, and popular restaurants put this city —rightfully so — at the top of the list.