Most visited countries in the world: A global tourism ranking

The tourism sector is a major contributor to the expansion of the world economy, and knowing the most visited countries in the world by tourists provides insightful information.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts that 2024 will be a record-breaking year for travel and tourism, with an all-time high of $11.1 trillion in economic output from the industry. The travel and tourism industry will contribute $770 billion more than it did in 2024, according to the global tourism body’s 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR). This will solidify the industry’s position as a global economic powerhouse, producing one in 10 dollars globally.

With the global industry surging above its pre-pandemic prosperity, WTTC predicts that 142 of the 185 nations it analyzed would surpass historical national records.

Most visited countries 2024

Let’s take a look at the most visited countries in 2024:

1. France (Number of arrivals: 89.4 million)

France is home to 45 UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s capital Paris in an iconic city. The country has attractive landscapes like the Loire Valley, and artistic treasures including Toulouse and Bordeaux. Beaches, ski resorts and peaceful rural regions are among its varied landscapes’ attractions for eco-friendly travellers. Charming communities like Montsoreau and Collonges-la-Rouge are honoured by Les Plus Beaux communities of France. The Ministry of Culture has named over 200 gardens ‘Remarkable Gardens,’ which are preserved and promoted due to their aesthetic value and historical relevance. In 2024, it will be the most visited nation worldwide.

2. Spain (Number of arrivals: 83.7 million)

For the third year in a row, Spain was the second most visited country in the world in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a sharp drop in tourism, with just 18.9 million visitors. Spain’s tourist sector has proven resilient. The country consistently ranks at the top of the World Economic Forum’s biannual Travel and Tourist Competitiveness Index. It outperformed 140 other nations in 2019, 2017, and 2015. It is among one of the coolest and stylish countries in the world.

3. United States of America (79.3 million)

Third position goes to the United States, a nation with a very diverse environment and recognizable cities. It has welcomed 79.3 million foreign tourists. Being one of the world’s most visited countries, it provides an infinite number of tourist attractions. That ranges from the busy streets of New York to the beautiful shores of California. And the theme parks of Florida. Other popular destinations including Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami provide unique experiences, from vibrant cultural scenes to Hollywood glamour. Places like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and the stunning beaches of Florida and California provide an abundance of opportunities for discovery and adventure.

4. China (Number of arrivals: 65.7 million)

China’s vast and varied terrain, deep history, and quick urbanization make it an intriguing place to visit. The country has some attractions for tourists that include Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Bund. Attractions for nature enthusiasts include Guilin, Zhangjiajie, and the Yangtze River. For those interested in culture, Xi’an’s Terracotta Army and Lijiang’s old city offer a wealth of historical details.

5. Italy (Number of arrivals: 64.5 million)

Italy’s continuing appeal stems from its amazing blend of art, culture, history, and food. Vatican City is a hub for the arts and spirituality, and historic sites like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum offer a glimpse into the past. Venice enthrals with its charming atmosphere and canals, while the Amalfi Coast dazzles with its breathtaking coastline beauty. Florence is well known for its Renaissance buildings and artwork. Italian food, which includes gelato, fine wines, spaghetti, and pizza, is also appealing to foodies.

6. Turkey (Number of arrivals: 51.2 million)

Turkey, with 51.2 million arrivals, comes in sixth. It is an intriguing fusion of Western and Eastern culture, bringing together Antalya’s blue shoreline with Istanbul’s rich history. Turkey, one of the world’s most visited countries, attracts travellers with a mix of ancient and man-made wonders, including the biblical city of Ephesus, the fairy village of Cappadocia, and the desert splendour of Mount Nemrut. Man-made wonders include the Hagia Sophia Mosque and Topkapı Palace.

7. Mexico (Number of arrivals: 45 million)

Going to the Americas, Mexico is seventh with 45 million arrivals. It draws travellers with its thriving culture, mouthwatering cuisine, sunny beaches, and well-known Mayan and Aztec ruins. One of the biggest cities, Oaxaca is a popular tourist destination. It is because of its well-preserved colonial architecture, vibrant marketplaces, and cultural festivals. Other well-liked beach locations for travellers are Isla Holbox, Bacalar, and Puerto Escondido.

8. Thailand (Number of arrivals: 39.8 million)

Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world with 39.8 million visitors, offering visitors a taste of Asia with its royal palaces, historic ruins, elaborate temples, and rich folklore — not to mention its well-known beaches. It is referred to as the ‘Land of Smiles’, provides both extreme experiences and contemporary comforts.

9. Germany (Number of arrivals: 39.6 million)

With 39.6 million tourists, Germany is one of the leading countries in the world for tourism. Its beautiful scenery, historical landmarks, and of course, Oktoberfest are major draws. With its utterly charming castles and stunning scenery, Bavaria has the title of being the most visited place in Germany. Travellers love to explore the Black Forest, Nymphenburg Palace, Pergamon Museum, and Cologne Cathedral at night.

10. United Kingdom (Number of arrivals: 39.4 million)

The United Kingdom, with 39.4 million arrivals, comes in last on the list. It consistently makes the top 10. It is mainly because of its amazing views and rich history. And the regal majesty of London combined with the cultural diversity of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The British Museum, which houses the greatest collection of Egyptian artefacts outside of Cairo, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace are just a few of the numerous attractions that draw tourists to London, the capital of England.

Read more: What is inflation? Understanding inflation rates

Regional tourism trends

According to the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer, the global tourist arrivals touched 96 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in January-July 2024. Here are the details:

• In the first seven months of 2024, an anticipated 790 million foreign tourists visited. This represents a slight decrease of 4 per cent from 2019 but an increase of roughly 11 per cent from 2023.
• Strong demand in most areas, the continuing rebound of Asia Pacific travel destinations, improved air connectivity, and easier access to visas were the main drivers of the results.
• The Middle East continued to be the region with the fastest growth. Foreign visitors to the region were up 26 per cent over 2019 levels, and tourists to Africa increased 7 per cent over the same months in 2019.
• While Asia and the Pacific recorded 82 percent of 2019 levels, Europe and the Americas recovered 96 percent and 97 percent of their pre-pandemic arrival numbers, respectively, in the first seven months of 2024.
• Subregionally, North Africa fared the best, with 21 percent more foreign visitors in the first seven months of 2024 than before the epidemic. This was followed by Central America, which witnessed an increase of 19 percent, the Caribbean, and Southern and Mediterranean Europe, each of which had an increase of 9 percent.
• According to updated figures for 2023, export earnings from foreign travel, including international tourism receipts and passenger transport, will exceed $1.8 trillion, which is almost the same as it was before to the pandemic (actually down 1 percent from 2019). In 2023, the direct GDP from tourism likewise returned to pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated $3.4 trillion, or 3 percent of the world GDP, reaching that level.
• Although it is less than the hopes for May through August, which stood at 120 points, the UN Tourism Confidence Index indicates strong expectations for the latter half of the year, at 120 points for September-December 2024.
• The major issue the tourist industry is now experiencing, according to the UN Panel of tourist Experts, is inflation in travel and tourism, including high travel and lodging costs.

Africa

Africa has experienced a steady rise in international tourist arrivals over the years. In 2023, the continent welcomed 73.4 million international tourists, marking a 4.5 percent increase from 2022. The top 10 African destinations in 2023 were:

1. Egypt (13.1 million international tourist arrivals)
2. South Africa (10.2 million)
3. Morocco (9.5 million)
4. Tunisia (6.3 million)
5. Kenya (5.6 million)
6. Tanzania (5.4 million)
7. Nigeria (4.8 million)
8. Algeria (4.5 million)
9. Ethiopia (4.3 million)
10. Ghana (4.2 million)

These countries have become popular tourist destinations due to their rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes.

Americas

The Americas have seen a significant surge in international tourist arrivals recently. In 2023, the region received 184.2 million international tourists, a 10.2 percent increase from 2022. The top 10 destinations in the Americas in 2023 were:

1. United States (79.6 million international tourist arrivals)
2. Brazil (66.1 million)
3. Mexico (44.8 million)
4. Canada (22.1 million)
5. Argentina (18.3 million)
6. Chile (17.4 million)
7. Colombia (16.3 million)
8. Peru (15.6 million)
9. Costa Rica (14.8 million)
10. Dominican Republic (14.5 million)

These countries attract international visitors with their diverse attractions, ranging from natural wonders to vibrant cities and cultural heritage sites.

Asia and the Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region has consistently seen an increase in international tourist arrivals. In 2023, the region welcomed 384.5 million international tourists, reflecting a 5.5 percent increase from 2022. The top 10 destinations in Asia-Pacific in 2023 were:

1. China (72.3 million international tourist arrivals)
2. Thailand (39.8 million)
3. Japan (32.3 million)
4. South Korea (17.5 million)
5. Vietnam (18.0 million)
6. Indonesia (15.5 million)
7. Malaysia (26.1 million)
8. Singapore (15.1 million)
9. India (17.9 million)
10. Australia (14.2 million)

These destinations are renowned for their unique cultural experiences, historical landmarks, and natural beauty, making them some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Europe

Europe has witnessed a significant increase in international tourist arrivals in recent years. In 2023, the region received 654.5 million international tourists, a substantial 12.1 percent increase from 2022. The top 10 destinations in Europe in 2023 were:

1. France (89.4 million international tourist arrivals)
2. Spain (83.7 million)
3. Italy (64.5 million)
4. Germany (38.8 million)
5. United Kingdom (37.9 million)
6. Turkey (43.8 million)
7. Poland (22.1 million)
8. Netherlands (20.1 million)
9. Greece (31.3 million)
10. Austria (31.9 million)

Europe’s rich history, diverse cultures, and iconic landmarks continue to make it a leading destination for international visitors.

Impact of COVID-19 on tourism

The 2020-21 COVID-19 epidemic severely damaged the travel and tourism sector. Research published by the World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that the pandemic would cost the sector $4.5 trillion in 2020, leading to the loss of 62 million jobs that depend on tourism. This is supported by data from the World Tourism Organisation of the United Nations.

Arrivals of foreign tourists (in thousands of visitors)

2020 was the worst year for tourism ever, with a billion fewer travellers overall than in 2019. This is a 74 per cent decline in travel from 2019 to 2020. According to the UNTWO’s estimates, 100-120 million jobs were either destroyed or in danger. However, it also led to a loss of $1.3 trillion in lost income.

The effects have been especially detrimental to nations whose GDP depends on tourism. The overall GDP for 2020 fell 43.1 percent from the previous year. This was due to a 79.3 percent decline in gaming income yearly in Macau, one of China’s special administrative areas.

Even though 2021 saw a slight increase in tourism, it is still far below pre-pandemic levels. Forecasts from late 2020 gave hope that the business would recover by late 2021. However, the pandemic’s persistent nature has dashed such hopes. According to most projections as of late 2021, the industry won’t recover to pre-COVID levels until at least 2023.

Future outlook of global tourism

Travel is expected to recover fully across the countries by the end of 2024. It dropped by 75 per cent in 2020. By 2030, domestic travel is anticipated to increase by 3 per cent yearly. And it will reach 19 billion hotel nights annually, according to a report by McKinsey. International travel is expected to rise to reach its historical average of nine billion nights over the same period. Travel-related spending is predicted to follow a similar trend. Traveller expenditures are forecast to reach $8.6 trillion in 2024 or almost 9 per cent of the world’s GDP this year.

The report also provided an overview of the existing flow of travellers and growth projections until 2030. It has divided the world into four regions: the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Three main issues are identified in the report for industry stakeholders to take into account:

• Most of the money spent on travel is spent locally: Before focusing on foreign tourists, stakeholders should ensure they fully realise domestic tourism’s potential. Furthermore, intraregional travel accounts for the largest travel category after domestic travel, so they should begin with foreign visitors who visit neighbouring nations.
• The source markets are changing: While existing source markets still play a significant role in driving travel worldwide, sources of outbound tourism are expanding quickly in Eastern Europe, India, and Southeast Asia.
• The places you see for the future might not be there: In addition to perennial favourites, locations that weren’t on many visitors’ itineraries are devising shrewd strategies to draw tourists from abroad and position themselves as popular holiday destinations.

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