Which countries are drawing the biggest crowds in global tourism? The latest 2024 UNWTO ranking reveals where international travelers are heading in the greatest numbers.
Which countries attract the most international guests worldwide? The latest tourism figures from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) provide some insight. In its regularly published World Tourism Barometer, destinations are ranked according to visitor numbers, tourism revenue and expenditure by international travelers. The ranking for 2024 shows that Europe remains the clear favorite - but Asia is catching up too!
1st place: France - 89.4 million visitors
France is once again the most popular travel destination in the world. No other country has more international arrivals. Paris, the Côte d'Azur, the Alps and its cultural heritage have made France a favorite among tourists worldwide for decades.
2nd place: Spain - 83.7 million visitors
With its sun, beaches, cities such as Barcelona and Seville and the Mediterranean way of life, Spain continues to attract millions of visitors.
3rd place: United States - 79.3 million visitors
Although the USA receives fewer visitors than France and Spain, it generates the highest tourism revenue worldwide - mainly due to longer stays. New York, California, national parks and road trips remain classics.
4th place: China - 65.7 million visitors
China's appeal lies in the mixture of historical monuments (e.g. Great Wall, Terracotta Army) and modern metropolises such as Shanghai and Shenzhen.
5th place: Italy - 64.5 million visitors
From Rome to Venice to Naples: Italy combines culture, cuisine and lifestyle - and remains a perennial favorite among travel destinations.
6th place: Turkey - 51.2 million visitors
With Istanbul, the Turkish Riviera and cultural treasures such as Cappadocia, Turkey attracts visitors from Europe, Russia and the Middle East.
7th place: Mexico - 45 million visitors
Caribbean beaches, Mayan ruins, street food and colorful cities make Mexico one of the most popular travel destinations in North and Central America.
8th place: Thailand - 39.8 million visitors
Thailand remains the most visited country in Southeast Asia, but was overtaken by Japan (11th place) as the leading destination in Asia for the first time in 2024.
9th place: Germany - 39.6 million visitors
Germany impresses with city trips (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg), events, good transport connections and varied nature.
10th place: United Kingdom - 39.4 million visitors
London remains a strong magnet. But Scotland, Wales and coastal towns in the south also attract many international guests.
