Top 10 countries for tourism. The most visited countries in Europe according to the World Tourism Organization
According to the World Tourism Organization, more than a billion people visit foreign countries every year. Where modern tourists and travelers most often go, what are the most popular countries for tourism? We will not take into account those people who come to other countries for just one or a few days, we are interested in those who spent at least a week there.
France
The most popular countries for tourism in Europe are led by France. Paris, in particular, is the most visited city by foreign tourists and is often referred to as the most romantic place on earth. It is here, at the top of the Eiffel Tower, that a huge number of marriage proposals are made, it is in Paris that the newlyweds come. In a word, everything here is shrouded in an atmosphere of love and romance.
Of course, not all tourists who come to France are in love, there really is something to see, something to be surprised. A huge cultural heritage, amazing national cuisine, fine wine, gorgeous nature - that attracts tourists from different parts of the world. If you want to spend a few days at sea, feel free to go to Cote d'Azur- the most fashionable resorts and luxury hotels are located here.
Spain
This country will satisfy the taste preferences of both beach lovers and connoisseurs of attractions that are part of the world cultural heritage. A comfortable climate, a lot of cultural and historical attractions, excellent Mediterranean cuisine and the friendliness of the locals are what many tourists note.
Be sure to visit Barcelona - one of the most beautiful cities not only Europe, but the world.
China
IN last years the most popular countries in the world for tourism have accepted China into their "community". Everyone visits this country large quantity tourists from different parts of the globe, the Russians have also "tasted" it. Incredible natural beauty and the originality of culture will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated tourist.
If you love traditional Asian countries, for example, be sure to visit China at least once in your life - you will be truly delighted. There is no less color and exoticism here, but the quality of recreation and the development of infrastructure are impressive. More than 55 million tourists visit China every year.
USA
Surely every second inhabitant of the world would like to visit the United States. If you are looking for the most popular countries for tourism, you will surely find America in every ranking. The country of great opportunities has been attracting not only immigrants, but also tourists for more than a century. Lovers of entertainment, megacities beckon New York, Las Vegas, Chicago. In turn, connoisseurs of local beauties will also find a lot of interesting things here. How do you like the Grand Canyon or, say, Yellowstone National Park?
The standard of living in America is impressive, and some tourists really begin to think about moving after their trip. That is why the United States has tightened visa requirements, especially for Russians.
Great Britain
It is difficult to call England a classic holiday destination, however, the most popular countries for tourism include it in their list. The country certainly does not experience a shortage of tourists.
Of course, most tourists go to London, which offers attractions for every taste: from art to traditional football. But there are those travelers who visit remote corners of the country, where you can admire the stunning scenery.
Türkiye
Most tourism, or rather the list already listed, must be supplemented by Turkey. This is a favorite resort for a beach holiday among Russians and not only. You are guaranteed beautiful weather, warm and gentle sea, gorgeous beaches with a wide coastline.
If you want to get to know Turkey better, feel free to go to Istanbul - a city with a long history and a huge cultural heritage connecting Europe and Asia.
There are many countries in the world that are of great tourist interest. Each of them has its own history, mentality and unique sights. The reader is presented with most visited countries in the world— the rating is based on data for 2016.
10. Mexico (22 million)
Opens the top 10 most visited countries. On average, the state is visited by more than 22 million people per year.
Mexico is a vibrant, distinctive country known for its festivals and quirky celebrations. It is the birthplace of the Mayan civilization, which disappeared under the onslaught of the Spanish conquistadors. The most visited monument of Mayan architecture are the ruins ancient city Chichen Itza. In ancient times it was political as well cultural capital, but the XI century was marked for the city by the final decline and at the same time the last inhabitants left it. No less popular with tourists are the beaches of Yucatan. Every tourist season many people flock there to take a dip in the turquoise waters. Hotels, as well as holiday homes in this country are able to please even the most fastidious guests.
9. Russia (30 million)
The top ten countries most visited by tourists include. According to the International Tourism Organization, the Russian Federation is visited by an average of 30 million people a year. by the most popular cities among foreign tourists are Moscow and St. Petersburg, tours to Kazan and Sochi are also in demand. Excellent popularity among tours that lead their route literally throughout the country, allowing you to see all the beauty wildlife Russia.
8. United Kingdom (31 million)
The state attracts travelers not only with its ancient history, but also such famous monuments of antiquity as Stonehenge. In addition, there are a huge number of medieval castles, which often hosts various excursions. London is also one of the most visited cities in the world, if we count the internal movements of citizens. One of the most interesting places you can call Windsor Castle (the ancient residence of the royal family), as well as Westminster Abbey, where all English monarchs were crowned, starting with William the Conqueror.
7. Germany (32 million)
It is considered one of the most expensive countries in terms of tourism, however, this does not prevent it from being one of the most popular, as it is visited by about 32 million people a year. Mostly people go there from neighboring countries because there is no need to apply for a visa. Interestingly, Berlin is famous for its music festivals, and interesting fairs are held in Frankfurt. A lot of people from all over the world come to Munich for Oktoberfest, which is a massive folk festival. These are not only countless tents for several thousand people, where you can taste famous German beer, but also a full range of recreational activities. Among the attractions provided are roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and a flea circus.
6. Türkiye (39 million)
IN Turkey more than 39 million people visit each year, making the country one of the most visited in the world. First of all, Turkey became famous for the fact that most of the architectural monuments of the ancient era have been preserved here. One of the most visited cities in the country is former capital– Istanbul, which is also the most Big City throughout Europe. Mersin and Antalya are next. Famous resorts and hotels are designed for a large influx of tourists into the country. Such popularity is due to the huge selection of vouchers of the All Inclusive type.
5. Italy (48 million)
It confidently enters the top 10 most visited countries in the world. About 48 million tourists a year come to this state and replenish their knowledge about the history of our civilization, combining it with great vacation. Tours to Italy are available all year round. Despite the fact that this country has the status of an elite European resort, which has a strong impact on prices, travelers only become more over time. During the winter, tourists travel to the Alps to ski, while during the summer months they visit beaches across the country. At the same time, absolutely everyone wants to visit cities such as Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence. All of them have their own history and unique architectural monuments various eras. It was in Italy that one of the most prominent personalities of the Renaissance lived.
4. China (57 million)
On average, it is visited by 57 million people a year. First of all, tourists are attracted by the Great Wall of China, which is about 9 kilometers long. The width of the wall is such that four riders can ride on it at the same time. However, over time, most sections of the wall began to collapse and restoration was required, which began in the 80s of the last century. On this moment only tourist areas have been repaired, in some places stone from the wall is used to build villages or highways. Second, most famous monument Chinese culture has become the Terracotta Army. This is a huge tomb, in which more than 8 thousand statues of Chinese warriors and horses are buried. Some especially zealous tourists strive to obtain permission to visit Tibet, but this step requires a lot of time and material costs.
3. Spain (68 million)
Opens the top three most visited countries in the world in 2016. 68 million satisfied tourists confirm this fact. Spain receives its main income from tourism, which is not surprising, given the wonderful weather, excellent cuisine and the friendliness of the locals, and most importantly, reasonable prices for tours. People come to Spain for holidays literally from all over Europe, as well as from the USA. Basically, travelers go to Canary Islands and also tend to visit Madrid and Barcelona.
2. USA (77 million)
It is a fairly vast country, it has a huge number of attractions, ranging from Grand Canyon ending with the Yellowstone volcano. These places attract a huge number of people who want to experience the beauty of the wild nature of the United States. In turn, the most famous cities America became Las Vegas, New York, Miami and Los Angeles. World-famous parks, a well-established entertainment industry and the price diversity of hotels contribute to the fact that the number of arriving tourists often reaches 77 million people a year.
1. France (86 million)
According to the World Tourism Organization, it is France is the most visited country in the world. The number of tourists is more than 86 million people a year. For the most part, people are attracted by the local color and special atmosphere. In addition, France is famous for its fine wines and special cuisine. Paris is one of the most popular tourist cities in the world thanks to such attractions as the Eiffel Tower. Many people come to rest on the Cote d'Azur, and in order to enjoy first-class wine, tourists often visit the city of Bordeaux. In France beautiful nature and benevolent locals. Once having visited this country, many vacationers often promise themselves to come again.
The World Tourism Organization provided statistics showing which regions and countries were especially popular among tourists. Over the past year tourist trips committed by 1.087 billion people. Europe has traditionally been the most attractive region with almost 564 million people or 51.8%. The rating is based on the number of tourists in the country per year.
1. France (84.7 million people)
In the 90s of the last century, France took the first position of the most visited countries by tourists, and since then it has been holding it. A very small proportion are transit travelers who cross France in passing, such as, for example, vacationers from northern Europe who are heading to the resorts of Spain. The majority purposefully goes to France. Tourists to this country are attracted by many famous sights of various kinds, beautiful nature, powerful artistic and historical heritage, favorable climate, developed transport infrastructure, great hotels, places of entertainment and excellent European service. In fact, every French department has become a tourist department, since everywhere there are their own attractions.
In France, tourists most often visit Paris, Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel, Loire castles, historical centers Lyon and Bordeaux, Chartres and Reims cathedrals, French Riviera, Strasbourg Christmas market, Mont Blanc and Chamonix, architectural structures (Eiffel Tower, Millau Viaduct), amusement parks (Asterix, Disneyland, Futuroscope, Vulcania).
2. Spain (60.7 million people)
The first peak of the tourist boom in Spain began in the 60s, when tourists from Western European countries began to flock here, and the second - in the 90s, when guests from of Eastern Europe. First of all, Spain is famous for its beach holiday. It all started with him, and today he is the most profitable article in the country's tourism industry. The excellent climate of the Iberian Peninsula and two archipelagos (the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean) has become an excellent attraction for travelers from Northern Europe. Beach holidays are associated with such places as the Costa Brava, the Costa del Maresme, the Costa Dorada (all Catalonia), the largest lagoon in Europe, the Mar Menor and the Costa Calida (Murcia), Balearic Islands(Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca), Canary Islands.
Spain boasts a rich culture and history. On its territory there are the remains of settlements of different peoples who lived in the Pyrenees in prehistoric times. Main tourist centers countries - Barcelona and Madrid - can offer cultural, historical routes, all kinds of entertainment, educational programs and a souvenir sector. A dozen historic cities in Spain have been included in the UNESCO list. The once “most Catholic country in the world” has many Catholic shrines, for example, Santiago de Compostela is compared to Mecca, since there are the relics of the Apostle James, second only to the relics of Jerusalem and the Vatican in importance.
3. Italy (47.7 million people)
About fifteen hundred years after the defeat ancient rome arose on its ruins new country Italy. She became a guide for tourists seeking entry to ancient world. Hellas and Rome were the cradle of European civilization. Modern Italy spares no expense for the preservation and restoration of the ancient historical monuments trying to save them for humanity. One restoration project leaning tower of pisa cost about 25 million euros. Covering the Roman Altar of Peace with a glass dome cost 20 million. Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan are recognized as the main centers of tourism in Italy. But the details of the assessments differ: Sardinia was ranked first in terms of safety and hospitality, Rome leads in the number of historical values, Valle d'Aosta - in ecology, Trentino - in supply tourist information, Campania, Calabria and Abruzzo are leaders in the variety of local cuisine.
4. Türkiye (37.8 million people)
In recent decades, tourism has become an increasingly important contributor to the development of the Turkish economy. And for further development This industry has all the prerequisites. Turkey is washed by the Black, Marmara and Mediterranean Seas (called the Aegean Sea from Greece). Türkiye is the seventh country in the world in terms of thermal springs, of which there are 1300. There are many sights of the ancient period (Greek, Roman, for example, Troy), as well as later periods of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Inside the country there is a dense transport network, thanks to which it is very easy to get to anywhere in the country. Most visited places in Turkey:
- Istanbul, which keeps monuments of Christian Byzantine and Islamic architecture.
- Cappadocia with cave cities and unusual volcanic formations.
- Turkish Riviera- so called resorts on southern shores countries where there are ruins of ancient Greek and Roman cities and monuments of that time.
5. Germany (31.5 million people)
Many women prefer shopping tourism as the best option to relax, have fun, enjoy shopping. What can be nice...
Until now, Germany is considered one of the the safest places for the rest of the world. Health tourism is especially developed here, since the activities of many German resorts are associated with the presence of hot springs, prevention and treatment. mineral waters and the use of methods of sanatorium-resort treatment. Since the 1930s, local Nazi authorities began to develop a variety of thematic routes that introduce travelers to this region, its natural and cultural attractions.
In Germany, the most visited cities are Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Cologne. Oktoberfest is a very popular holiday, where beer flows like water. Of the attractions, the most visited are the Cologne Cathedral, the Reichstag and the Munich Hofbräuhaus.
6. United Kingdom (31.5 million people)
As you know, the United Kingdom combined 4 different countries between which the difference lies not only in geographical location And climatic features but also in particular historical development. Therefore, tourism British Isles is particularly varied. Here the tourist season starts in April and ends in October. For the treasury, it is very profitable, contributing annually its 10% to the common piggy bank.
The main tourist attraction in the UK is London, which is visited by both foreign and domestic tourists. London has a lot to offer tourists. In his central regions several spacious squares (the most famous are Trafalgar and Piccadilly), wide streets with expensive shops and modern office centers (Strand, Oxford Street, Regent Street), the medieval stern Tower, large parks (Green Park, Hyde Park, St. James Park) and small church squares, the Queen's residence - Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral and various museums.
Foreigners are especially interested in Scotland, many of whom come to Edinburgh to look at the castle of Mary Stuart, the royal Botanical Garden, an art museum and admire the old Scottish architecture. England has a number of popular spa resorts in Bath, Cheltenham, Leamington, Harrogate and Buxton.
To determine the standard of living of people, several methods have been invented, but they mainly use the one that operates in the UN. On behalf of this organization...
7. Russia (28.4 million people)
The enormous natural diversity and rich cultural heritage make Russia one of the most attractive countries for tourism. There are only 26 objects under the protection of UNESCO. Numerous peoples live in different parts of the country, having their own distinctive traditions. Mostly tourist routes in Russia they capture its capital, as well as St. Petersburg. In addition, resorts and sanatoriums in the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, the Kaliningrad Region, Caucasian ski resorts, a tour of the Golden Ring of Russia, cruises along the rivers of the Volga basin or on an icebreaker to the Russian Arctic National Park, a long journey along the Trans-Siberian Railway with a stop at Baikal and Altai mountains. The most persistent tourists even get to the volcanoes of Kamchatka. In St. Petersburg you can watch the "white nights", and admire the Arctic Circle polar lights. But most tourists still come to Moscow.
An experienced traveler tries to choose an interesting and original place for each new trip, but everyone was once a beginner. When I first started traveling, like most ordinary tourists, first of all visited those countries about which he heard and knew the most. So what are the most visited countries today? Where are the crowds of tourists?
No. 10. Mexico - 29.1 million visitors per year
Mexico is the 10th most visited country in the world. In the ranking of countries on the continent of America, Mexico ranks second in terms of attendance after the United States, even ahead of Canada! The number of visitors to Mexico in a year is greater than the number of visitors in all Caribbean(22.8 million people per year). The most visited region in Mexico is the Yucatan Peninsula. People come here for the magnificent beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, lush rainforests and bustling nightlife.
No. 9. Russia - 29.8 million visitors per year
In recent years, Russia has been in the top 10 most visited countries in the world, only slightly behind the UK. There are 26 sites in Russia that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lake Baikal, the volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka, the Black Sea coast, the snowy mountains of Altai are just a few of the thousands famous places for visiting.
Russia is rich not only natural objects but also cultural attractions. Main cultural centers- Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Novgorod, Kazan, etc. - are famous for their numerous churches, museums, historical buildings, theaters, palaces, fortifications and other objects with a rich centuries-old history.
The popularity of Russia as a country to visit is growing every year. About a million people in Russian Federation work in the tourism sector.
No. 8. United Kingdom - 32.6 million visitors per year
The tourism business annually brings $ 17.2 billion to the state treasury. Most of the UK tourists are Europeans, the second largest group of tourists comes to the UK from the USA and Canada. London is the most visited city in the United Kingdom and the Tower is the most visited place.
No. 7. Germany - 33.0 million visitors per year
Germany is considered one of the safest tourist countries in the world. Tourism is developed in Germany both for its own citizens and for foreign ones. According to statistics, 30% of Germans prefer to rest within the country.
In Germany, 2 million people work in the tourism sector, and the share of tourism in the country's GDP is 4.5%. The cultural tourist centers of Germany are Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, they are also the most visited cities in the country. Of the natural attractions in Germany, the most famous are: national park Saxon Switzerland, Western Pomeranian Lagoons National Park, Jasmund National Park. These parks are visited by millions of tourists every year.
No. 6. Türkiye - 39.8 million visitors per year
Türkiye is in 6th place in terms of attendance. This country is known for its rich cultural heritage and ethnic diversity. Turkey has a large number of historical, cultural and archaeological monuments, and in addition to this, charming seaside resorts along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. Istanbul is the most visited city in Turkey.
In 2015, the tourism industry in Turkey suffered losses due to a number of accidents related to the activities of terrorist groups. Türkiye has lost a third of the entire flow of tourists.
No. 5. Italy - 48.6 million visitors per year
Visiting Italy is a dream of many people. 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, countless cultural artifacts, Roman and Renaissance archaeological sites, the Mediterranean coast and more! Italy rightfully occupies the 5th place in terms of attendance.
The most visited cities in Italy: Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan. 48.6 million tourists a year bring huge funds to the country's treasury.
No. 4. China - 55.6 million visitors per year
Great Chinese Wall, sacred mountains China, Shaolin Monastery, Huangguoshu Waterfall, forbidden city, the Three Gorges Power Plant and many other attractions make China one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. According to the World Trade Organization, by 2020, China will take the first place in the world among the countries in terms of attendance.
No. 3. Spain - 65.0 million visitors per year
Tourism is the main industry in Spain. The share of tourism is 11% of the country's GDP. People go to Spain to visit Barcelona and Madrid, resorts mediterranean sea, participate in Carnivals and Ensierro (Spanish national custom, which consists in running away from bulls, cows or calves specially released from the paddock).
15 national parks attract nature lovers. Spain is also famous for its ski resorts. 13 Spanish cities are objects World Heritage UNESCO and attract tourists from all over the world.
No. 2. USA - 74.8 million visitors per year
The huge country of the USA can surprise both beginners and experienced travelers. In cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the flow of tourists does not stop all year round. Of the natural attractions of the United States: the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, the wonderful landscapes of Alaska, the beaches of Hawaii and much more. In 29 US states, tourism is the main industry that brings a lot of money to the treasury.
In the United States, the largest flows of tourists come from Mexico, Canada, and the UK. According to statistics, by 2025 the US will earn $2.5 trillion. dollars for tourism.
No. 1. France - 83.7 million visitors per year
For the most part, people are attracted by the local color and special atmosphere, in addition, France is famous for its fine cuisine and wines.
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world thanks to eiffel tower. In addition to Paris, people go to Lyon, Strasbourg and other cities. France is famous for its magnificent ski resorts, Alpine mountains, beaches, picturesque French villages, beautiful gardens and parks, and much more.
TRAVELERS' CHOICE AWARD is the most important travel rating of the year, compiled by TripAdvisor.com, the largest travel service in the world. The winners were selected using an algorithm that takes into account millions of online user reviews and ratings of thousands of attractions, hotels and restaurants around the world over the past 12 months. Want to know which cities won? See the top 25 best travel destinations in the world.
25 PHOTOS
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1. Marrakesh in Morocco was ranked #1 on TripAdvisor.com's Best Travel Destinations. “Amazing bustling old market in the city center” is the most attractive place cities, according to portal users. (Photo: CNN). 
2. Siem Reap in Cambodia is number 2 in the ranking of the best travel destinations. The sunrise over the Angkor Wat temple causes a special delight among tourists, because it is not for nothing that it is considered one of the seven new wonders of the world. (Photo: CNN). 
3. Istanbul in Turkey is a city full of contrasts. A trip to Istanbul is a fantastic journey through different eras, styles, religions, tastes and aromas. (Photo: CNN). 
4. Hanoi in Vietnam. Users call it a lively, interesting and chaotic, in the good sense of the word, city. (Photo: CNN). 
5. "Beautiful and charming" Czech Prague. Here on every corner you can stumble upon "strange shops" that will pleasantly surprise you. (Photo: CNN). 
6. "Eclectic" London is a mixture of lifestyles, people and history. (Photo: CNN). 
7. Rome, Italy "Such a huge piece of history in one city." (Photo: CNN). 
8. Buenos Aires, Argentina “Cool, trendy, absolutely delightful city.” (Photo: CNN). 
9. Paris, France Nowhere else in the world will you find such an amazing atmosphere as in Montmartre, a beautiful and colorful area with its small shops, art galleries and charming cafes. (Photo: CNN). 
10. Cape Town, South Africa. One of the main attractions of Cape Town is the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, about which users write only admiring reviews. (Photo: CNN). 
11. New York, USA. According to TripAdvisor.com users, the city's top must-see attraction is Times Square. (Photo: CNN). 
12. Zermatt, Switzerland “Once you get to the top of the Matterhorn Glacier, you will feel like you are standing on the roof of the world.” (Photo: CNN). 
13. Barcelona, Spain. “In some corners of this city, you will feel like you have traveled back in time… 500 years into the past!” (Photo: CNN). 
14. Gorem, Türkiye. "This is the most unusual and surreal landscape in the world!" (Photo: CNN). 
15. Ubud, Indonesia. This the best place for those who love SPA: massage, acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy - here you can try absolutely everything. (Photo: CNN). 
16. Cusco, Peru "It's a wonderful city with charming cobbled streets, very hospitable people and good restaurants." (Photo: CNN). 
17. St. Petersburg, Russia. One of its main attractions is St. Isaac's Cathedral, which offers a breathtaking view of the entire city. And the beauty of the interior of the cathedral makes tourists "goosebumps!". In the photo: Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on Blood. (Photo: CNN). 
18. Bangkok, Thailand. Khao San Street is "the heart and soul of Bangkok, the best place for all travelers, with its lively streets and bars at every turn." (Photo: CNN). 
19. Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu is primarily a city of Buddhist temples, unique monuments worth visiting. (Photo: CNN). 
20. Athens, Greece. The hallmark of this city is the "exciting" Acropolis. (Photo: CNN). 
21. Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has been dubbed the "Queen of the Danube" by internet users. (Photo: CNN). 
22. Queenstown ( New Zealand) is the best place for lovers of sports and stunning nature. (Photo: CNN). 
23. Hong Kong (China) is the only city of its kind that features floating restaurants serving delicious dim sum (Chinese dumplings). (Photo: CNN). 
24. Dubai (UAE) - A cosmopolitan oasis with futuristic cityscapes that rises above the Arabian Desert. (Photo: CNN). 
25. Sydney (Australia) is a city that will appeal to both lovers of history and modernity. Business card city is the opera house (Sydney Opera House), which looks like a sailboat floating peacefully in the harbor. (Photo: CNN).