Which Country Has the Largest Tourism Rate?

Are you curious about global travel destinations and which country attracts the most visitors? Which country has the largest tourism rate? SIXT.VN is here to guide you through the world’s most popular tourist hotspots, highlighting key attractions and providing insights into the tourism industry. Discover the top destinations for international tourists and plan your next adventure with ease. Let’s explore the world’s tourism data, travel trends, and must-visit countries!

1. Unveiling the Global Tourism Landscape

The tourism industry is a cornerstone of the global economy. It significantly contributes to economic growth and cultural exchange. Understanding which country attracts the most tourists is crucial for travel enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Let’s delve into the latest statistics and trends shaping the world of travel.

Global travel and tourism was an industry worth $8.9 trillion (US) in 2019. Although the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the sector, tourism is steadily recovering, and travel is making a strong comeback worldwide.

International arrivals reached 98% of 2019 levels in January-September 2024. An estimated 1.1 billion international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) were recorded during this period, marking an 11% increase compared to 2023.

2. Key Insights & Trends in Global Tourism

The tourism sector’s recovery has been remarkable, demonstrating its resilience and importance. Several key trends have emerged in recent years. These trends are:

• France Leads the Way: France remains the most visited country, attracting 102 million visitors in 2024. This enduring popularity is partly due to iconic events like the Paris Olympics.
• Economic Contribution: In 2024, the global tourism industry contributed $11.1 trillion to the economy, accounting for 9% of global GDP.
• Recovery Progress: The tourism sector has steadily recovered, reaching 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
• Rebound in 2022: International tourism rebounded to 66% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022, marking a significant increase of 35 percentage points compared to the previous year.
• Modest Growth in 2021: International tourism reached 31% of pre-pandemic levels in 2021, a modest increase of 3 percentage points from 2020.
• Lowest Point in 2020: The tourism industry experienced its lowest point in 2020, with international arrivals at 28% of pre-pandemic levels and a $4.5 trillion loss due to COVID-19.

These insights highlight the dynamic nature of the tourism industry and its crucial role in the global economy.

3. Top 10 Most Visited Countries in the World

Based on the latest tourism statistics data from Data Pandas, the most visited country in the world is France, with 89.4 million visitors. Let’s explore the top 10 most popular countries for 2024, each offering unique cultural and natural attractions.

3.1. France

For over 30 years, France has held the title of the most visited country in the world, attracting 89.4 million visitors. Its rich history, diverse culture, and romantic charm make it a top destination. France boasts 49 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including 42 cultural and 6 natural properties.

France is known for its beautiful countryside, fabulous villages, mountains, vineyards, and castles. Paris, the capital, remains the most visited city in Europe, attracting 38 million tourists in 2019.

France is expected to remain the world’s most visited country in 2024, driven by events like the Paris Olympics.

Cultural Attractions in France

Natural Landmarks in France

3.2. Spain

Spain secures the second spot with an impressive 83.7 million international arrivals. Spain consistently ranks high in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, outperforming 140 other nations in 2019, 2017, and 2015.

Spain’s combination of historical richness, sunny coasts, architectural beauty, and vibrant nightlife makes it a top destination.

Madrid’s vibrant nightlife, Barcelona’s architectural wonders, and Marbella’s luxurious experiences add to Spain’s appeal. El Teide, an ancient volcano on Tenerife, offers visitors a unique hiking experience.

Cultural Attractions in Spain

Natural Landmarks in Spain

3.3. United States

The United States, known for its diverse landscapes and iconic cities, ranks third with 79.3 million international visitors.

From New York’s bustling streets to California’s golden coasts and Florida’s amusement parks, the United States offers endless tourist attractions.

Cultural Attractions in the United States

Natural Landmarks in the United States

3.4. China

China, the Asian giant, ranks fourth with 65.7 million tourist arrivals. Its ancient history, diverse culture, and notable landmarks fascinate scholars worldwide.

Iconic landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the Terracotta Army in Xi’an are proudly listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

China’s vast business dealings and diverse cultural exchange contribute to its tourism industry, further boosted by the Great Wall of China.

Cultural Attractions in China

Natural Landmarks in China

3.5. Italy

Italy ranks fifth with 64.5 million arrivals. Known for its art, history, fashion, food, and wine, Italy captures the hearts of visitors.

Italy boasts 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the highest number of any country, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa and historic Rome.

Cultural Attractions in Italy

Natural Landmarks in Italy

3.6. Turkey

Turkey ranks sixth with 51.2 million arrivals. It is a fascinating mix of Eastern and Western culture, combining Istanbul’s history with Antalya’s turquoise coast.

Turkey’s appeal lies in its balance of man-made marvels like the Hagia Sophia Mosque and archaeological wonders like Ephesus and Cappadocia.

Cultural Attractions in Turkey

Natural Landmarks in Turkey

3.7. Mexico

Mexico ranks seventh with 45 million arrivals. Its vibrant culture, delicious food, sunny beaches, and Mayan & Aztec ruins attract tourists.

Oaxaca, with its lively markets and cultural festivals, is a top tourist destination thanks to its well-preserved colonial architecture.

Cultural Attractions in Mexico

Natural Landmarks in Mexico

3.8. Thailand

Thailand welcomes 39.8 million arrivals, offering royal palaces, ancient ruins, ornate temples, and famous beaches.

Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles” and offers modern conveniences and wild adventures.

Cultural Attractions in Thailand

Natural Landmarks in Thailand

3.9. Germany

Germany ranks ninth with 39.6 million visitors, attracted by picturesque landscapes, historical sites, and Oktoberfest.

Bavaria boasts enchanting castles and landscapes. Tourists enjoy exploring the Cologne Cathedral, the Pergamon Museum, the Black Forest, and the Nymphenburg Palace.

Cultural Attractions in Germany

Natural Landmarks in Germany

3.10. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom ranks tenth with 39.4 million arrivals. Its rich history, remarkable sights, and the regal charm of London, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland make it a regular on the list.

Destinations like Stonehenge, the Tower of London, and Edinburgh are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Cultural Attractions in the United Kingdom

Natural Landmarks in the United Kingdom

4. Top 50 Most Visited Countries in the World in 2024

The World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts that 2024 will set a new record for the travel and tourism industry, with an all-time high of $11.1 trillion in economic output from the industry.

Based on data from UNWTO, here’s a list of the Top 50 Most Visited Countries in the World in 2024.

Some countries have yet to release their official tourism data for 2024, so the rankings and figures may be updated as more information becomes available.

4.1. Overview of Global Tourism Trends

In recent years, the tourism sector has seen fluctuating trends, especially with the significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the world recovers, post-pandemic travel trends have begun to shape the industry’s future, with tourist arrivals and receipts gradually rebounding.

Every corner of the globe has experienced remarkable growth, this revival in global tourism has boosted travel across all continents, making many destinations the most popular countries for international travelers.

The chart highlights the annual trends in international tourist arrivals, showcasing the industry’s steady expansion over the last decade. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in 2020, the sector has demonstrated strong resilience. As of 2024, international tourism has achieved approximately 99% recovery, signaling a near-complete rebound in global travel.

The chart illustrates the trend in international tourist receipts over the years, showcasing the sector’s remarkable growth and resilience. In 2024, global tourism receipts are estimated to reach 1,400 billion, reflecting a 4% increase compared to the previous year. This steady growth highlights the ongoing recovery and strong demand for global travel.

Global travel statistics reflect an upward trajectory in both arrivals and receipts as countries adapt to new travel norms and markets. So far, international tourism has rebounded to 87% of pre-pandemic levels. According to UN Tourism, the tourism sector grew by 2.9% in 2024 and is projected to fully recover by December, surpassing pre-pandemic records and setting new global travel benchmarks.

5. Most Visited Countries in the World in 2023

The tourism industry achieved remarkable progress toward recovery in 2023, reaching 87% of its pre-pandemic levels. This impressive growth represented an increase of 22 percentage points from 2022.

Based on data from UNWTO, here’s a comprehensive tourism ranking of the most visited countries in the world for 2023, along with their estimated number of international tourist arrivals, tourist receipts, receipts per arrival, and tourism exports:

Note: If no data is shown, there’s no data available for the selected year. UNWTO ranks countries based on existing data for the selected year. As data will be updated regularly throughout the year, the rankings therefore will change as well.

6. Most Visited Countries in the World in 2022

The pace of recovery accelerated in 2022, with international tourism rebounding to 66% of its pre-pandemic levels—a remarkable increase of 35 percentage points compared to the previous year.

Based on data from UNWTO, here’s a list of the most visited countries in the world for 2022, along with their estimated number of international tourist arrivals, tourist receipts, receipts per arrival, and tourism exports: