The tourism industry is a key driver of global economic growth, and knowing which countries attract the most visitors provides valuable insights. Using the latest statistics, discover the world’s most visited countries in 2024 (for now, but probably not much will change by the end of the year).
The tourism sector grew by 2.9% in 2024. The list below was created based on an analysis of world tourism rankings by country, popular cities, and available statistics on global tourism.
We've also included a helpful list of the most popular tourist attractions in the world 🗼
France - the most visited country in the world with 89.4 million visitors. This is evidence of its continued popularity among tourists attracted by various regional cultures, historical sites, museums, gastronomy, and the romantic charm of Paris.
In addition, the countryside is full of fabulous villages, mountains, vineyards and the occasional castle. You can even see prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux. Paris, the capital of France, is the most visited city in Europe, with 38 million tourists visiting in 2019.
Most popular attractions in France:
Top of the Eiffel Tower - Paris
Bordeaux - Southwest France
Alsace - Part of the Rhine Valley
Loire Valley - Central France
French Riviera - Southeast Coast of Provence
Spain moved up to second place with 83.7 million visitors. No wonder–the combination of historical richness, sunny coastlines, beautiful architecture, flamenco music, and the thrill of the running of the bulls keeps tourists coming.
Spain also has El Teide, an ancient, but not entirely dormant volcano that tourists can hike in the Parque Nacional del Teide on the Spanish island of Tenerife.
Most popular attractions in Spain:
Sagrada Familia - Barcelona
Tapas - Madrid first and foremost
Ibiza - Mediterranean Sea
The United States, a country with a huge variety of landscapes and iconic cities, takes third place with 79.3 million international visitors. As one of the most visited countries in the world, it offers an endless list of tourist attractions. From the bustling streets of New York to the golden coast of California, national parks and amusement parks, nature and the wonders of technology and engineering.
Top attractions in the USA:
Statue of Liberty - New York
San Francisco Bay - California
Yosemite National Park - California
Hawaii - beaches and hiking
Alaska - fjords and wildlife
In fourth place is the Asian giant with an impressive 65.7 million visitors. With its long history, diverse culture, and famous landmarks such as the Great Wall, it fascinates scholars and tourists around the world.
China is undoubtedly one of the most visited countries in the world because of business cultural exchange. Thanks to the Great Wall of China, the Chinese tourism industry has grown even more.
Top attractions in China:
Beijing City - East China
The Great Wall of China - Jinshanling
Mount Huangshan - Anhui Province
Yangshuo River - East China
Italy comes in fifth with 64.5 million arrivals. Known for its art, history, fashion, food, and wine, Italy easily wins the hearts of travellers.
Italy has monuments and UNESCO heritage sites such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa (tilted more than 5 degrees to the southwest), the iconic city of Venice, and the historic city of Rome.
Most popular attractions in Italy:
Monuments of Rome - Central Italy
Vatican - Rome
Amalfi Coast - Campania
Cinque Terre - Liguria
Leaning Tower of Pisa - Tuscany
Türkiye is in sixth place with 51.2 million visitors. It is a fascinating mix of Eastern and Western cultures, combining the great history of Istanbul with the turquoise coast of Antalya.
Turkey is one of the most popular countries in the world, and its appeal lies in the balance between man-made wonders like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, and archaeological wonders like the biblical city of Ephesus, the fairy-tale city of Cappadocia, and the desert beauty of Mount Nemrut.
Most popular attractions in Turkey:
Istanbul - the meeting point of Europe and Asia
Pamukkale - Denizli
Cappadocia - Eastern Anatolia
Ephesus - Izmir Province
Mexico is seventh with 45 million visitors. Its vibrant culture, delicious food, sunny beaches, and famous Mayan and Aztec ruins attract tourists.
Oaxaca, being one of the largest cities, with lively markets and cultural festivals, is a major destination for its well-preserved colonial architecture. Other popular beach destinations for tourists include Puerto Escondido, Bacalar and Isla Holbox.
Top attractions in Mexico:
Pyramids of Teotihuacan - Teotihuacán
San Miguel de Allende - Guanajuato
Tulum - Yucatan Peninsula
Chichen Itzá - Yucatan Peninsula
Thailand hosts 39.8 million tourists, making it the eigth most visited country in the world. Tourists can get a taste of Asia here, with royal palaces, ancient ruins, ornate temples and folklore, not to mention famous beaches. Plus, of course, the cuisine.
Thailand, a country located in Southeast Asia, is also known as the “Land of 1000 Smiles” and offers both modern amenities and wild adventures.
Most popular attractions in Thailand:
Floating Market - Bangkok
Koh Samui - Gulf of Thailand
Koh Tao - Gulf of Thailand (west)
Chiang Mai - Northern Thailand
Germany is the ninth most visited country in the world, with 39.6 million tourists, often attracted by its picturesque landscapes, historical monuments, and, of course, Oktoberfest.
The honor of being the most popular destination in Germany goes to Bavaria, which boasts enchanting castles and breathtaking landscapes. Tourists enjoy exploring Cologne Cathedral under the night sky, the Pergamon Museum, the Black Forest, and Nymphenburg Palace.
Most popular attractions in Germany:
Berlin Wall - Berlin
Cologne Cathedral - Cologne
Neuschwanstein Castle - Schwangau
Old Town - Munich
Rhine Valley - Central Germany
The United Kingdom comes last on the list with 39.4 million visitors. Its rich history, stunning scenery, and the royal charm of London, added to the cultural richness of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, make it a permanent fixture on the list.
London, the capital of England, attracts tourists with numerous tourist attractions such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum, which houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside Cairo.
Top attractions in the UK:
London Eye - County Hall, London
Stonehenge - Salisbury
River Thames - England
Tower Bridge - London
Edinburgh Castle - Castlehill, Edinburgh
Source: wptravel.io
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