Worldwide tourism has, after five years, once again reached the level of the year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 1.47 billion international arrivals were recorded last year. This comes from data by the World Tourism Organization UN Tourism, which regularly publishes statistics on global travel behavior. Austria recorded 32.2 million arrivals last year and ranks 13th. First place goes to France with 102 million tourist arrivals.
A ranking offers insight into which countries are trending or still popular – and also, which are less in demand than before. The latest list is based on figures for the year 2024. It shows: global wanderlust has returned after the pandemic. Worldwide, keywords like flight shame seem to play little role. Hundreds of millions of people are flying.
The list of the most visited countries has for decades been led by France, but Spain is catching up to its neighbor. But which countries are also in the top 20? And where is Germany? The countdown:
Places 20 to 11
India is in 20th place – 20.6 million international arrivals were recorded there. The Netherlands counted 21.3 million visitors. Place 18, according to this statistic, goes to Hong Kong in China, which is still listed separately. Places 17 and 16: Malaysia and Portugal.
Rank 15 is held by rising star Saudi Arabia, which counted 29.7 million arrivals from abroad, up from just 17.5 million in 2019. In 14th place are the United Arab Emirates.
Austria recorded 32.2 million arrivals last year (plus 4.2 percent compared to the year before) and ranks 13th. Twelfth place goes to Thailand (35.5 million; plus 26.3 percent), and 11th place to Greece (36 million; plus 9.8 percent).
The Top Ten Follow – But UN Tourism Notes: “Actually, Neither China Nor the UK Have Published Data for 2024.”
They are still waiting for both countries to publish the information in the coming weeks. Their provisional ranking – places eight and seven – is based on estimates.
Japan Rises in the Ranking
The Land of the Rising Sun – and especially Tokyo – long had the reputation of being an expensive destination. But the weakness of the yen has made holidays in Japan affordable for many – and that showed last year in a big way. After 25 million visitors in 2023, there was suddenly a 47 percent increase – and 36.9 million foreign tourists. A completely new experience for the Japanese: suddenly being a kind of low-cost travel destination.
With 37.5 million visitors (plus 7.8 percent), Germany makes it into the top ten of the most visited countries (even if the number is still below that of 2019). The country appeals to city and culture tourists with destinations from Hamburg to Munich, Cologne to Berlin, Heidelberg to Dresden, Lübeck to Weimar. Famous events like Oktoberfest in Munich, museums, hearty food, and historic buildings like Cologne Cathedral, Wartburg Castle, or Neuschwanstein Castle are big draws.
Although there is no official data yet, the United Kingdom – based on estimates – ranks in eighth place. About 39 million visitors are estimated – London alone attracts many fans, and historic cities like Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge, and Bath are also popular.
China Likely in Seventh Place
Although there is still no official data, China is estimated to be in seventh place. Highlights for visitors include the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, and of course the diverse cuisine.
Mexico, Italy and Turkey Remain Popular
Travel influencers have discovered the diverse country as a hotspot. Whether it’s the fascinating metropolis Mexico City or dreamy beaches: Mexico is in demand, even if there are sometimes anti-tourism protests. 45 million people (plus 7.4 percent) traveled there last year.
Italy in Fifth Place
Bella Italia: No surprise that Italy – with its cuisine, the hills of Tuscany, and the Dolomite mountains – is one of the most visited countries in the world. 57.7 million people came last year (in 2019 it was nearly 65 million).
There are countless beautiful cities: Rome, Venice, Milan, Florence, Rimini, Pisa, Naples, Bologna, Bergamo, Genoa, Sanremo, Ravenna, Verona, Trieste, Como, Palermo – just to name a few.
Turkey Is Popular
The country between Europe and Asia is a favorite. It attracted 60.6 million visitors (plus 9.8 percent).
Among the popular sights is the stunning city of Istanbul, one of the most exciting cities in the world.
USA With Slight Decline But Still in Top Three
Long celebrated as the land of unlimited opportunities, the USA remains a dream destination. New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas are places of longing. 72.4 million foreign arrivals were recorded in 2024. In 2019, it was 79.4 million.
The unwelcoming immigration policy under President Donald Trump is expected to accelerate the downward trend in 2025. Who wants to travel there if they might be turned away at the border?
España in Second Place
A vibrant country with cities like Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, Málaga, Granada, and San Sebastián – and beloved islands like Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria.
Tourism is booming, but lately there have been more protests against so-called overtourism. 93.8 million foreign guests were recorded in 2024, about ten million more than in pre-COVID 2019.
France Takes the Crown
Around 102 million international tourist arrivals were recorded in 2024 (plus two percent compared to 2023). The capital Paris alone – glorified as the city of love and traditionally a center of fine gastronomy – is a magnet. The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and nearby Versailles. In 2024, Paris also hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Other attractions include Lyon, the Loire Valley castles, and Marseille. The Côte d’Azur with Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, and Nice is considered the cradle of tourism. Tourism was, so to speak, invented in France. The country remains number one in global tourism.
