Punta Cana is a leader in leisure tourism, MasterCard report finds

Mastercard today released itsGlobal Destination Cities Index: Play, a look at the international destinations with the highest concentration of visitors traveLling for relaxation and leisure.

Punta Cana leads the list of top ten cities where more than 90 per cent of overnight visitor travel in 2017 was for purposes beyond business, such as vacation or family visits.

The list includes destinations that cater to eco-tourists, history buffs, beach goers and adventure seekers.

Top 10 cities for relaxation

• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (99.9%)
• Cusco, Peru (98%)
• Djerba, Tunisia (97.7%)
• Riviera Maya, Mexico (97.5%)
• Palma de Mallorca, Spain (97.2%)
• Cancun, Mexico (96.8%)
• Bali, Indonesia (96.7%)
• Panama City, Panama (96.3%)
• Orlando, United States (94.1%)
• Phuket, Thailand (93%)

“Travel allows us to broaden our horizons by exploring new places, people and experiences,” said Francis Hondal, president of loyalty and managed services at Mastercard. “The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index: Play shows that special cities around the world are tapping into that trend and building a brand of fun, relaxation and enjoyment for like-minded traveLlers.”

Additional insights from the 2018 Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index will be released later this year.