Where is everyone going for vacation?
International travel took a dip during the 2020-21 global health crisis and although it hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels just yet, we have certainly seen some recovery.
Data and Ranking
We went digging for current statistics on how the global tourism economy has been recovering over the last few years, and which countries rank in the top 10 for most visited destinations in the world.
International Travelers
According to the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, in 2019, about 1.5 billion people traveled internationally. Based on annual trends for the years prior, it was assumed that travel would see a growth of 3-4% in 2020.
But we all know that didn’t happen.
Tourism During the Pandemic
UN Tourism reported a significant decrease in 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 381 million people traveling internationally.
Most of those people were essential workers, or traveled in the short months before the restrictions took hold.
A Comeback in 2022
Restrictions in some places lasted a full two years, or more. But in 2022, international tourism saw a stronger than expected result, with over 900 million travelers—double those in 2021, but still 37% fewer in 2019.
Europe
According to UN Tourism, Europe, the world’s largest destination region, recorded 585 million arrivals in 2022 to reach nearly 80% of pre-pandemic levels (-21% over 2019).
The Middle East
The Middle East enjoyed the strongest relative increase across regions in 2022 with arrivals climbing to 83% of pre-pandemic numbers (-17% versus 2019), UN Tourism reports.
Forecasting
With numbers increasing all over the globe, experts assumed international travel in 2023 would be even better—but still not return to 2019 levels until 2024 or later.
Were they right?
Tourism in 2023
According to the first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of the year, international tourism ended 2023 at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international arrivals—making an impressive recovery.
Recovery Within Reach
The 2023 numbers almost reached those of 2019, which is a significant increase from the pandemic years, and sets the stage for a full recovery in 2024.
2023 Tourism Levels: Middle East
The Middle East led recovery in relative terms as the only region to overcome pre-pandemic levels above 2019.
2023 Tourism Levels: Africa & Europe
Africa came in close reaching 96% of 2019 levels, with Europe following at 94%, and the Americas reaching 90%.
It’s expected that 2024 will surpass 2019 levels in all regions.
The 10 Most Visited Countries
Now that we know travel will peak once again, where is everyone going?
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s most recent data, these are the 10 most visited countries in the world—using inbound tourism figures from 2022.
10. Austria
International tourist arrivals: 26.2 million
Austria is known for its rich culture, especially its art and music scene. The Cultural World Heritage Site of Schönbrunn Palace is Austria's most frequently visited tourist attraction.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna stands as one of the top places for tourists all throughout the year, helping double tourism numbers over recent years.
9. Greece
International tourist arrivals: 27.8 million
Greece’s cultural heritage and scenic beauty have earned it a top spot for tourism. With 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and beautiful coastlines, it’s no wonder tourism has far exceeded pre-pandemic figures.
Athens & Santorini
The capital of Greece is not only the most visited place in the country but also one of the most visited places in the world.
Santorini is the most popular Greek island.
8. Germany
International tourist arrivals: 28.5 million
Surveys reveal that 75% of tourists choose Germany for the cultural experience, and 59% are attracted to the outdoor landscapes and cities.
Berlin & Bavaria
Berlin is Germany’s largest and most visited city. However, Bavaria had a whopping 100 million overnight stays in 2019, making it a close second for most popular tourist destination in Germany.
7. United Kingdom
International tourist arrivals: 30.7 million
The UK ranks 10th as most popular tourist destinations with over 40.1 million visitors in 2019, pre-pandemic.
The UK is known all over the world for its love of sports and literature, along with its diverse culture and mix of different generations.
London, England
London is the capital city of the UK and attracts millions of tourists each year. It is also the largest city of both England and the UK.
6. Mexico
International tourist arrivals: 38.3 million
Mexico consistently ranks among the world’s top tourist destinations, according to the World Tourism Organization.
Not only is Mexico rich in history, culture and natural beauty, but its tropical resorts cater to a diverse range of people from spring breakers to families and seniors.
Mexico City
Mexico is filled with popular destinations, but Mexico City—the capital and the largest city of Mexico—is one of the most important cultural and financial centers of the world.
Cancun, Acapulco, and Guadalajara are among other popular cities for tourists.
5. Italy
International tourist arrivals: 49.8 million
There is no shortage of reasons why Italy remains one of the most popular destinations in the world. From its beloved cuisine to its 58 World Heritage Sites, this enchanting country deserves its spot in the list.
Rome, Italy
Rome, the capital of Italy, is the 3rd most visited city in Europe, and a top visited city worldwide too, thanks to its invaluable artistic and cultural heritage.
4. Türkiye
International tourist arrivals: 50.5 million
With a surge in culture, spa, and healthcare tourism, Türkiye has been climbing the ranks for several years now, making its way to third in the upcoming 2023 ranks.
Istanbul, Türkiye
Istanbul is one of the most important tourist spots not only in Turkey but also in the world.
In fact, in 2023 it ranked as the most visited city in the entire world with more than 20 million people.
3. United States
International tourist arrivals: 50.9 million
As one of the largest countries in the world, the U.S. boasts an unparalleled diversity of culture and geography, making it a top international tourist destination.
New York, USA
New York remains America’s most visited city with 7 million visitors annually. In fact, Times Square (in New York) is the most visited tourist site in the entire U.S. as well, with about 50 million visitors annually.
Jose Francisco Fernandez Saura, Pexels
2. Spain
International tourist arrivals: 71.7 million
Spain is a popular tourist hotspot for many reasons, including its rich history, vibrant culture and affordability. Visitors rave about the authentic cuisine and traditional festivals.
Madrid, Spain
Madrid was the most visited city destination in Spain in 2022, having welcomed nearly 8.6 million overnight visitors.
1. France
International tourist arrivals: 79.4 million
France takes first place as the most popular tourist destination in the world.
Home of the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris and the exquisite French Riviera, France is also known for its mountains, wineries, famous scenes and dramatic coastlines.
Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower is inseparably linked to both France and the city of Paris, and attracted 5.9 million visitors in 2022.
