When people leave their home countries to explore foreign countries, they only do one thing that excites the host country – spend money. And, it’s for this very reason that many countries worldwide compete for foreign visitors. That being said, if you have ever wondered what the most visited countries are, you might want to start by taking a look at this article.
Every year, the World Tourism Organisation comes up with a list of world’s most popular countries according to the number of international tourist arrivals for each country. This is done as part of their World Tourism Barometer publication, which is released three times throughout the year. In the publication, UN regions and sub-regions are ranked by the number of international visitor arrivals, the revenue generated by inbound tourism and by the expenditures of outbound travellers.
Here is a List of the 10 Most Visited Countries in the World at the Moment
1. France
Without exaggerating or throwing out any favours, France tops the list. And not for this once; it has been consistently topping the chart. Why?
Well, for one, France has the highest number of worldwide-known monuments and museums. In highlights, there’s the famous Eiffel Tower and Musee Du Louvre in Paris which are known for attracting the bulk of France visitors. Apart from that, some people prefer visiting this great country for wine-tasting in Castle-hopping and Bordeaux in the Loire Valley.
2. United States
The United States comes second in the list of most visited countries in the world. Last year alone, this country registered over 59.7 million visitors – an equivalent of a whole nation. Now people love to visit this great nation for a number of reasons; partly because of the diversity of the US people, the vibrant cities, and the expansive national parks. Actually, the most visited cities in the US include Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC.
3. China
The number of people who visit China has greatly skyrocketed in the recent past. To begin with, most people prefer exploring China for cultural exchange and for business dealings as well. In fact, many companies worldwide have stationed their production chains in China. And so have the big franchise store banks. Furthermore, China is increasingly becoming more popular because of its ancient cities, historical sites, and the celebrated Chinese cuisines.
4. Spain
Spain is known for attracting the largest number of European tourists. Every year during summer, many of its Islands are usually flooded with millions of British, German and Dutch Tourists. To draw global visitors to the cultural sides of Castillo La Mancha and Andalusia in Barcelona, the tourism board in Spain has recently been trying to branch out to the international market. All in all, Spain is still among the top ten travel destinations in the world famous for its cuisine, ancient history, and the vibrant breath-taking cities.
5. Italy
The attractions in Italy are limitless. From the history-rich town squares of Rome to the Romantic Canals in Venice, Italy has a number of attractions that contribute to its popularity. On top of that, this country is known for providing a diverse travel experience, which is partly the reason why most people find it hard to resist its charms. Judging from what’s hitherto going on with the tourism sector in Italy, the number of tourists in Italy will keep on rising in the future.
See Also – Countries In Southern Africa: Facts you should Know
6. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has an array of attractions that charm tourists from all corners of the world other than just being a miniature world – the headquarters of almost all international companies. To mention, there’s the coastline of Wales, fascinating landscapes of Scotland as well as the ancient charms of England. Last year alone, this sovereign state managed to attract over 28.1 million visitors.
7. Turkey
Turkey is globally renowned for its varied landscapes, distinctive cultures and the old-age traditions. What’s even more interesting is the fact that Turkey had a distinctive historical civilization which brought about the Ottoman Architecture and the laudable Roman ruins to bear witness. Another crowd puller worth mentioning is Istanbul. Actually, the futuristic skyscrapers, the traditional mosques and great hotels of Istanbul have also contributed to the popularity of Turkey.
8. Germany
Germany has been placed in position one by UNWTO as the country with the highest tourism expenditure. That said, the reason why Germany is attracting too many visitors worldwide is ostensibly clear for all to see. But hey, all the major cities in Germany are naturally tourists’ magnets, especially during the festive season. In fact, Munich Oktoberfest alone has been known to attract almost a quarter of all the German tourists annually.
9. Malaysia
Malaysia has a trading industry that is expanding at an alarming rate and a booming economy, as well. Over the years, the country has been increasingly attracting millions of business travellers who after handling their business deals flow to the explosive city of Kuala Lumpur or the traditional sea-front hotels in Penang to enjoy the best of what the country has to offer.
10. Mexico
The long stretches of turquoise beaches along the Yucatan Peninsula attract the largest fraction of tourists in Mexico each year. Another popular attraction in Mexico is the Riviera Maya, which was specifically developed to pull tourists.
Other than that, there are a number of other factors that make Mexico a top tourist attraction – the colonial sites, the Mayan historical site, and the colourful festivals.
