Travelling, either solo or as a group, can be daunting. However, most memorable highlights of a strange city is the kindness of strangers. Premium travel publication Condé Nast Traveler has unveiled its list of the world’s friendliest cities of 2024. And it appears you get a better welcome in Asia.
Asia With Open Arms
It comes as no surprise that cities such as Singapore; Bangkok, in Thailand; Tokyo, Japan, and Hong Kong are in the top ten of the Condé Nast Traveler’s friendliest city selection. This is one component of its Readers’ Choice Awards, which asks people to rank their favourite cities for a friendly stay, while considering factors like where they felt most welcome while travelling, ease of navigation, and whether locals were happy to help tourists.
Confirming first place, Singapore, noted CN Traveler, “is famous for its financial powerhouses, pristine streets, unrivalled security standards, and now, diverse communities offering the crème de la crème of hospitality. It’s not all lavish high-rises and innovative technology either, as Singapore has been dubbed the “Garden City” for its myriad of luscious parks and tree-lined streets. In other words, Singapore has all the components to achieve the status of metropolitan utopia.”
Bangkok “may feel overwhelming at first glance, with its hectic crowds, fiery cuisine, and constant roar of motorbikes, but these lively streets are where the true soul of Thai culture lies.” Condé Nast Traveler commented. “Immerse yourself in Bangkok’s colourful markets for a sense of the exhilarating buzz, followed by a visit to one of several sacred Buddhist temples for serene reflection among the ornate architecture.”
While Bangkok reached fourth place, Tokyo was a hit in sixth place, even though it is the most densely populated city. CN Traveler summarized: “Its community is hefty yet harmonious, bound by the acts of respect and flawless manners which underpin Japanese culture. Tokyo is a place which perfectly fuses tradition and the avant-garde, a place where ancient temples and cherry blossom gardens are scattered across a blanket of neon skyscrapers.”
Hong Kong, on the other hand, swept in at eighth position. “The community here deserves a noteworthy mention for its warm hospitality. Other highlights include Hong Kong’s dynamic Victoria Harbour, a thriving hotspot for both trade and tourism, as well as its plethora of sophisticated rooftop bars and five-star hotels.
“The Peninsula offers a unique helicopter “flight-seeing” experience, where guests tour the breathtaking skyline from a bird’s-eye view,” said CN Traveler.
However, the ranking for Asiam with four in the 2024 table, is far better than last year’s list, where Kyoto, in South Korea, was the only Asian city to make it into the top 10.
Last year, Canadian cities received the most votes, although 2024 saw the spotlight move across the border to the US, with New York, Chicago and Las Vegas all ranking in the top 10.
The top 10 friendliest cities as rated by readers of in the Condé Nast Traveler are:
- Singapore
- Sydney, Australia
- Las Vegas, USA
- Bangkok, Thailand (92)
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Tokyo, Japan
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Hong Kong
- Chicago, USA
- New York, USA
Andy Probert is an independent PR writer and journalist who writes about travel experiences, airlines, airports, new tech and business. His work has appeared on the BBC, in The Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mirror, as well as many newspapers/magazines globally.
