Published on : Saturday, July 27, 2019
These tourists are expected to make cities richer, more vibrant, and more diverse. The new tourism model benefits residents and economies, providing wealth to cultural institutions, small businesses and big retailers.
Many places are already benefiting from these new urban tourists. For example, Bilbao, Spain, has transformed into a quality, sustainable tourist destination without huge masses of people or unbearable nighttime street celebrations. The city is achieving this not with the help of low prices or crowded beaches, but through cultural attractions like the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, popular movie productions and, according to Lonely Planet, “staggering architecture, a venerable dining scene and stunning landscapes just outside the city center.” Bilbao is appealing to millions of people who want new cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences.
Bilbao’s touristic makeover has become an example for medium-sized cities around the world, just as the makeover of Dubai has for large cities. In both cities, Asian tourists, especially those from China, are playing a pivotal role. They make up the bulk of new luxury and medium-high-end international urban visitors.