New research has revealed Miami as the worst city in the world for tourists.
Which? asked more than 1,500 members of its online panel to rate their experiences of world travel outside Europe over the last year and received feedback on almost 2,500 city visits. Out of all the cities, the Flordian hub score just 56 per cent.
The cities were marked on seven criteria, including the quality of food and drink, cultural sights and tourist attractions, ease of getting around and value for money. A city score was then calculated based on a combination of overall satisfaction and likeliness to recommend the destination.
Even though Miami is famous for its sun-drenched beaches and vibrant nightlife, the city was dismissed as “overrated” by respondents, earning its highest score of three stars for the quality of shopping, and a clutch of one and two stars in the remaining categories, including just one star for cultural sights and for value for money.
Travellers were particularly bothered about the lack of value for money, with respondents noting it was “very expensive compared to the UK” and “a total rip off”.
Miami was followed closely by another American city — Las Vegas, which scored 58 per cent. Dubbed as “brash” and “glitzy”, Las Vegas scored no higher than to stars in any category. It also scored just one star for cultural sights and attractions, lack of crowds and value for money.
One disappointed traveller said: “It is fake in every way, incredibly expensive, with bad food and terrible transport options… it’s my least favourite city in the world.” Los Angeles (62 per cent), Seattle (64 per cent) and Dubai (64 per cent) followed.
At the other end of the list, Cape Town in South Africa took the top spot of the best world city destinations. With an impressive score of 91 per cent, the city was a particular hit with foodies, achieving a five-star rating in the food and drink category. The city also scored five stars for shopping and overall value for money.
One satisfied visitor said: “I was amazed by the low cost of eating out in Cape Town versus London or New York. The food was exceptional.” Another added: “There are so many amazing things to do in Cape Town at such a very reasonable cost… it is a wonderful place to visit.”
The city also received four-star ratings for accommodation, and for cultural sights and attractions. The proximity of nature was particularly valued by respondents, who highlighted the spectacular scenery at the famous Table Mountain and penguins on Boulders Beach as high points.
Kyoto in Japan came second place, with a score of 90 per cent. It was one of two Japanese cities at the top of the table, with the country’s capital, Tokyo, taking joint fourth place with a city score of 86 per cent.
Historic Kyoto received a full five stars for its cultural sights and attractions, which include an astonishing 17 officially designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As the former imperial capital, Kyoto is also a heritage lover’s haven. One visitor shared: “Few world cities have such a huge range of awe-inspiring sites.”
The city also received five stars for food and drink, and four stars for overall value for money, ease of getting around, accommodation and shopping. Sydney, in Australia, took third place with visitors giving it a score of 88 per cent.
The “buzzy and beautiful” Australian city received a full five-star rating for cultural sights and attractions, which include the world famous Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. It also scored five stars for food and drink, with visitors singling out the quality of the fish market and even the local coffee.
It also received five stars for ease of getting around, with multiple respondents noting it is easily walkable, and four stars for shopping. Chicago took joint fourth place, tied with Tokyo with a city score of 86 per cent.
The Windy City received five stars for its cultural sights and attractions, with visitors praising its “atmospheric lakeside setting”, “pioneering skyscrapers” and “beautiful architecture”. It received four stars for food and drink and shopping, and three for value for money, lack of crowds, and accommodation.
Tokyo meanwhile received five stars for food and drink, cultural sights and attractions and shopping, as well as four stars for accommodation, ease of getting around and value for money. One visitor raved: “I just love the place, and it’s got everything, including the famed contrast between ultramodern and traditional”, while another lauded it as “one of the most unique and extraordinary cities in the world.”
Singapore took fifth place with a city score of 85 per cent, followed by Bangkok, Melbourne and Washington D.C, all tied on 84 per cent.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? travel, said: “Some cities are one-trick ponies, but the standout destinations in this year’s survey have it all – each offering unique cultural sights, top-class food and drink, and even sublime scenery.
“In many cases, they are bargains too. Cape Town is probably the world holiday destination where your pound will go furthest, while the cost of a holiday in Japan for British travellers has tumbled in recent years thanks to a weaker yen against the pound – there has never been a better time to go.”
