In addition to France, Japan and Germany, Austria is also represented in the ranking of the most popular travel destinations.
Summer is travel season - this is not only reflected in the vacation calendars, but also on the roads and possibly also at the airports. Global tourism has visibly recovered: for the first time in five years, international travel figures have reached the level of 2019 - the last year before the coronavirus pandemic. The World Tourism Organization(UN Tourism), based in Madrid, regularly publishes figures on global travel behaviour. In its current evaluation, it lists the top 20 most-visited destinations in 2024 - measured by the number of international flight arrivals. Only travelers who arrived by plane were taken into account. Austria also had a strong tourism year: With 32.2 million arrivals, the Alpine republic is in 13th place worldwide. France remains the undisputed leader - with an impressive 102 million international visitors.
Vive la France! With around 102 million international arrivals, France was once again the leader in 2024 - an increase of 2% compared to the previous year. Paris remains a magnet for visitors: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles - and in 2024 it was also the stage for the Olympic Games and Paralympics.
Spain inspires with vibrant cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Seville - and with island classics such as Mallorca, Ibiza and Tenerife. Tourism is booming: 93.8 million international guests arrived in 2024 But with success comes growing discontent, as protests against overtourism are on the rise.
The USA - once the land of opportunity - beckons with cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. But the shine is crumbling: 72.4 million international arrivals were counted in 2024, significantly less than 79.4 million in 2019.
Turkey, at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, remains a popular travel destination: 60.6 million tourists visited in 2024 - an increase of 9.8 percent. The highlight for many: fascinating Istanbul, one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Bella Italia continues to attract travelers from all over the world - with pasta, Tuscan hills and the Dolomites. Italy had 57.7 million visitors in 2024, even if the pre-corona level of almost 65 million (2019) has not quite been reached yet.
Mexico is booming - whether it's Mexico City or paradisiacal beaches, the country inspires travelers and influencers alike. 45 million tourists came in 2024, an increase of 7.4 percent. At the same time, however, protests against overtourism are on the rise.
According to estimates, China is likely to occupy 7th place in the global tourism rankings - official figures are still pending. Particularly popular with visitors: the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an and the diverse cuisine.
According to estimates, the United Kingdom occupies 8th place in the tourism rankings - official figures are still pending. Around 39 million visitors are expected to have entered the country in 2024. London in particular draws the crowds, but Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge and Bath are also popular destinations.
With 37.5 million visitors and an increase of 7.8 percent, Germany is in 9th place in 2024 and thus back in the top ten most visited countries - even if it has not yet reached its pre-coronavirus level. Highlights include the Oktoberfest, world-famous museums, hearty cuisine and sights such as Cologne Cathedral, Wartburg Castle and Neuschwanstein Castle.
Meanwhile, Japan can look forward to a huge increase. After 25 million visitors in 2023, the number rose by 47 percent to 36.9 million foreign tourists in 2024 - putting the country in the top 10 of the ranking.
The other top 20 include well-known destinations such as Greece in 11th place with 36 million guests and growth of 9.8 percent, as well as Thailand in 12th place, which grew by 26.3 percent with 35.5 million arrivals.
With 32.2 million international arrivals and an increase of 4.2 percent, Austria secured a strong 13th place - ahead of the United Arab Emirates (14th place) and the dynamic newcomer Saudi Arabia (15th place).
Other countries in the top 20 include Portugal (16th place), Malaysia (17th place), Hong Kong (18th place), the Netherlands (19th place) and India in 20th place in the global ranking.
