Ranking Brand And Asset Strengths Of World Cities

Here's a unique study. Looking at the brand and asset strength of cities. Paris and London lead the list.

A quote:

The study also underlines the contrasting fortunes of Barcelona and Naples – two potentially comparable cities in terms of regional significance, yet the Catalan capital has trounced its Italian rival in projecting a distinctive idea of what it stands for and who it’s appealing to. The southern Italian city is rich in good climate, history, culture and gastronomy but it has devoted little time to creating a reputation among Europe’s cities. Naples’ well-documented refuse crisis makes the need for deliberate action to improve its image even more acute. It has the necessary attractions to help shift perceptions in its favour.

I pulled this quote out because for years I've heard it be lamented by people how Naples could permit its cultural and historical legacy wallow as it has. The Economist, in their survey on Italy, bluntly argued years ago there's no excuse for Italy's aloof and chaotic attitude towards its history and the branding of its culture. In their eyes, Italy should not be trailing Spain in tourism. Ironically, I think I read it again in The Economist, something like 45% of the world's luxury items come from Italy - there's some powerful high end branding there that's for sure.

My parents visited Barcelona a couple of years back. They enjoyed it. Just to say.