The first Guardian Cities global brand survey is in the news. The Guardian asked a brand consultancy that prides itself on its expertise in urban branding to come up with a global branding of world cities. It uses a wide variety of city assets: attractions, climate, transport infrastructure, safety, economic prosperity, and its “buzz,” which amounts to its assessment on social networks. And the ranking is full of surprises: Los Angeles, New York City, London, Paris, Seoul, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Dubai, Istanbul, Madrid, Chicago, Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Mecca, Atlanta, Melbourne. Milan, Berlin, Rome, Bangalore, Tokyo, Riyadh, Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Santiago, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Hanoi, Lisbon, Washington DC, Beijing, Vienna, Seattle, Vancouver, Salvador, Lima, Venice… The first thing that crosses my mind when I look at the ranking is that Europe is up shit creek in tourism, as well. Sadly, it is its last card in the global competition, which is getting ever fiercer. What else can it possibly offer? Anyhow, only look how low Venice has fallen! Even Istanbul is way ahead of it in the ranking, let alone Las Vegas and Seoul. Farewell Europe, farewell!