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An annual survey reveals how travelers view key tourist cities around the world, including which ones have the best culture and shopping, and which ones have unhelpful locals or poor public transportation.
Never underestimate the impact of locals. Charleston, SC, has often been named the best city in America, not just because of the impressive architecture, nearby beaches, shopping, and culture, but also because its locals are so helpful and friendly.
For instance, in 2013, a tourism group in Paris produced a guide to making visitors feel more welcome, offering tips to locals on how to be friendlier. And this is a city that regularly sees more than 13 million visitors.
Recently, travel site TripAdvisor released its annual Cities Survey, revealing how travelers view key tourist cities around the world. The site compiled results based on more than 54,000 responses from people who recently wrote reviews for the featured cities. (New York City was the only US city evaluated in the survey.) The results proved that having beautiful beaches or great culture doesn’t mean poor hotels or unfriendly locals can’t ruin a vacation.
According to TripAdvisor, New York City ranked first for best nightlife and best restaurants, and landed second for best shopping, best attractions, and best overall experience. Tokyo was named best overall and claimed the top spot for helpfulness, taxi services, local public transportation, and cleanliness of streets. Tokyo also ranked among the top 10 in 13 of the 16 categories.
Budapest was named the best value for money; Vienna is the easiest city to get around in while Dubrovnik has the friendliest taxi drivers; Singapore is the most comfortable for traveling alone; Dubai has the best shopping and the best hotels; and Rome is home to the best attractions and culture.
However, not all tourist destinations ranked well. Moscow ranked last place in 5 different categories, although it was not last for overall experience.
Helpful locals
Last: Moscow
Red Square. Photo by Christophe Meneboeuf
Second last: Beijing
Third last: Marrakech
Friendliest taxi drivers
Last: Moscow
Second last: Beijing
Wangfuijing Street, one of the busiest in Beijing
Third last: Brussels
Best taxi services
Last: Moscow
Second last: Beijing
Third last: Kuala Lumpur
The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur’s Central Business District
Cleanest streets
Last: Mumbai
Second last: Marrakech
Third last: Bangkok
Lumphini Park. Photo by Terence Ong.
Ease of getting around
Last: Mumbai
Second last: Punta Cana
Third last: Marrakech
Jemaa-el-Fna market in Marrakech. Photo copyright Luc Viatour/www.Lucnix.be
Best public transport
Last: Marrakech
Second last: Hanoi
Motorbikes dominate the roadways in parts of Hanoi.
Third last: Sharm el-Sheikh
Best value for money
Last: Moscow
Second last: Rio de Janeiro
Third last: Copenhagen
Nyhavn Canal. Photo by Bjarki Sigursveinsson.
Comfort traveling alone
Last: Punta Cana
Second last: Sharm el-Sheikh
Naama Bay. Photo by Marc Ryckaert.
Third last: Marrakech
Best for shopping
Last: Punta Cana
Second last: Moscow
Third last: Rio de Janeiro
Barra de Tijuca district. Barrazine da Barra/Flickr
Best for hotels
Last: Moscow
Second last: Rio de Janeiro
Third last: Brussels
Grand Palace square. Photo by Chris O
Best for restaurants
Last: Punta Cana
Beaches in Bavaro, the tourist part of Puna Cana
Second last: Moscow
Third last: Marrakech
Best for attractions
Last: Punta Cana
Second last: Sharm el-Sheikh
Third last: Mumbai
Gateway of India
Family-friendliness
Last: Marrakech
Second last: Moscow
Fountain in the Square of Europe
Third last: Mumbai
Best for culture
Last: Sharm el-Sheikh
Second last: Punta Cana
Third last: Dubai
Financial center of Dubai
Best for nightlife
Last: Marrakech
Museum of Islamic Art located in the Majorelle Gardens
Second last: Punta Cana
Third last: Hanoi
Best overall experience
Last: Mumbai
Bandra-Worli Sealink connecting Mumbai with its suburbs
Second last: Punta Cana
Third last: Moscow