International travel guide Lonely Planet has released the list of top 10 cities to visit in 2020, and UAE’s Dubai is the only GCC destination to feature on it. This comes ahead of the highly-anticipated Dubai World Expo, set to be held from October 2020.

The top 10 cities to visit in 2020… revealed! – https://t.co/ZwawBBVmyb #BestinTravel pic.twitter.com/KiSMyMt2II

— Lonely Planet (@lonelyplanet) October 22, 2019

Acknowledging the “endless” world records of Dubai, Lonely Planet credited the city for an balanced mix of new and old – from “world’s tallest building and beyond the shimmer of the infinity pool, an authentic city is ready and waiting to be explored, away from the glare of the largest, tallest and longest.”

Dubai named one of the world’s best cities for travelers to visit in 2020 by Lonely Planet.
(Screen grab from Lonely Planet video)

The publication further wrote that “sustainable travel” is a key factor is deciding the top city. This is in line with the emirate’s Smart Dubai mission whose key initiatives include Dubai Data Initiative, the Dubai Blockchain Strategy, the Happiness Agenda, the Dubai AI Roadmap and the Dubai Paperless Strategy.

Our CEO, @IssamKazim: “Being recognised as a ‘must visit’ travel destination by @lonelyplanet is testament to the dynamic evolution of #Dubai’s #tourism proposition.” https://t.co/qfF7Q5VQUt pic.twitter.com/GCXJvGZH0c

— Dubai Tourism (@dubaitourism) October 23, 2019

“The future is now in Dubai as the superlative-craving emirate launches several boundary-pushing marquee projects in 2020. Top billing, of course, goes to the six-month-long World Expo 2020, where 190 nations go all out in showcasing the latest visions in sustainability and mobility (think: flying cars) in architecturally showstopping pavilions,” wrote the popular travel guide on its official website.

“Also expected to open is the Museum of the Future, a cabinet of next-gen wonders in an eye-shaped building festooned with calligraphy. Meanwhile, two miles off-shore, a Europe-themed fantasy resort on an artificial archipelago called The World is gearing up to welcome its first guests to such only-in-Dubai phenomena as underwater bedrooms and year-round snow,” it added.

#Dubai ranks among @lonelyplanet‘s list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2020 https://t.co/qfF7Q5VQUt #travel #tourism pic.twitter.com/L8nGixsVCZ

— Dubai Tourism (@dubaitourism) October 23, 2019

In the accompanying Lonely Planet ‘Top 10 cities to visit in 2020’ video, the travel guide further writes, “The future is now in Dubai. With new sights and boundary-pushing attractions set to open, there is no shortage of out-there experiences for travelers to enjoy.”

Thinking about where to go next year? @lonelyplanet lists #Dubai among the world’s top ten cities for travelers in 2020. Check out their recommendations on unmissable experiences https://t.co/5lTa2t6pv7 pic.twitter.com/yEsm9XU0rv

— Visit Dubai (@visitdubai) October 22, 2019

The top 10 cities to make it to Lonely Planet’s list are:

1. 1. Salzburg (Austria)
   2. Washington, D.C. (United States)
   3. Cairo (Egypt)
   4. Galway (Ireland)
   5. Bonn (Germany)
   6. La Paz (Bolivia)
   7. Kochi (India)
   8. Vancouver (Canada)
   9. Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
   10. Denver (United States)