Seoul Voted Best Big City: What It Means for Group Agents
12 October 2026 · Explera DMC · 3 min read
The short answer
Seoul was voted the world's best big city in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, its first time at No. 1, up from fifth and ahead of Tokyo. It is a readers' vote, not a test of group services. Explera DMC suggests quoting it with its source and year, then letting the programme do the selling.
Readers' polls arrive every autumn, and agents who sell groups across Asia now have two of them to read. Seoul has come first among big cities in one, and Bangkok came first among cities in a separate Condé Nast Traveller readers' poll. Our Korea team sets out the facts in its briefing on the Seoul result. This note is for agents deciding how much weight to give it.
What Did the Vote Say?
The result. Seoul was voted the best big city in the 39th annual Readers' Choice Awards. It is the first time the city has ranked first.
The move. Seoul rose from fifth place the year before, and Tokyo dropped below it.
The size. More than 798,000 votes were cast across the awards.
The reasons. The city's long history, about 2,000 years of it, and the contrast between old and new were among the reasons reported.
A second tally. Seoul was also ranked third among the friendliest cities, in a separate list.
Injeongjeon, the throne hall of Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul, under a clear sky.
How Can Group Agents Use It?
As one dated line. "Voted No. 1 big city in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards" is a fair line for a cover note or a flyer.
For multi-city groups. Groups that pair Seoul and Tokyo can now be told that readers put Seoul first this year, a simple hook for the Korea leg.
For first-time visitors. The friendliness ranking helps with clients who are unsure about a first trip to Korea.
With a programme behind it. The line opens a conversation. Days, hotels and coach plans close the sale.
Where Does the Ranking Stop?
It is a readers' vote. It does not measure hotels, coaches, guides or how a city handles groups.
It changes every year. A proposal that leans on one ranking can look dated next autumn.
It is not "the best city in the world". Quote the magazine, the year and the category, and nothing more.
It says nothing about your dates. Holidays, events and hotel supply still decide what a Seoul programme looks like.
The King Sejong statue in central Seoul, with a mountain behind it.
What Is New on the Ground in Seoul?
A new walking link. The Yulgok-ro restoration replaced a road tunnel with a park of about 8,000 square metres. It reconnects Changgyeong Palace and Jongmyo Shrine for the first time in 90 years.
A neighbourhood in the news. Time Out separately named Jongno 3-ga the coolest neighbourhood, close to that same palace and shrine corner.
More to come. City officials say they plan more night-culture tours, market experiences and Han River leisure. We will say what groups can book once it is bookable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which award named Seoul the best big city?
Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, the 39th edition of the survey. Seoul ranked first among big cities for the first time, up from fifth.
Is this the same poll that put Bangkok first?
No. Bangkok came first among cities in a separate readers' poll run by Condé Nast Traveller. They are different surveys with different categories, so quote each one by its own name.
Can we use the ranking in client material?
Yes, with its source and year. Say "voted No. 1 big city in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards", not "the best city in the world".
Does the ranking tell us anything about group services?
No. It is a readers' vote. Hotels, coaches, guides and your travel dates decide how a group programme works, and Explera DMC plans those with you.
Our Korea team builds Seoul programmes with the coach, guide, venue times and a proposal you can send to your client.
Write to b2b@explera.kr or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations are in application.
