List of Top 10 Countries with the Most Tourist Arrivals

Top 10 Countries with the Most Tourist Arrivals: France is the most visited country in the world and first in Europe. Around 79.4 million international tourists visit this country each year. In the last three decades, France has become the most visited country in the world. The “City Of Love” is famous for its Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, natural sites, old cities with culture, authentic French cuisine, and historic green villages. France’s tourism industry contributes around 7.5 % to its total GDP.

In this article, we will discuss the list of top 10 countries with the most tourist arrivals, with the visitors count and the famous places in that country.

Top 10 Countries with the Most Tourist Arrivals

The United Nations found that 963 million individuals stayed in a foreign country for at least one night. This report was released in May 2023. Here are the Countries with the Most Tourist Arrivals as mentioned below.

Country Name	Visitors Count	Famous Places	Contribution to GDP (%)
France	75 million	Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum	7.5 %
Spain	71 million	Sagrada Familia, Alhambra	11.6 %
United States	51 million	Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon	2.9 %
Turkey	51 million	Hagia Sophia, Cappadocia	7.3 %
Italy	50 million	Colosseum, Venice Canals	10.2 %
Mexico	39 million	Chichen Itza, Tulum	8.5 %
United Kingdom	30 million	Big Ben, Buckingham Palace	9.5 %
Germany	29 million	Brandenburg Gate, Neuschwanstein	8.8 %
Greece	28 million	Acropolis, Santorini	18.2 %
Austria	26 million	Schönbrunn Palace, Mozart’s Birthplace	7.5 %

1. Country with the Most Tourist Arrivals: France – 75 Million Visitors

France is the world’s top tourist destination in the world. It ranks third in tourism income, France still attracts millions with its famous attractions. The Eiffel Tower welcomes 6.2 million visitors annually. It cementing its status as a premier destination in France.

Total Visitors	75 million
Most Visited City	Paris
Famous Landmarks	Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum
Top Activities	Sightseeing, Wine Tasting, Dining
Main Source Countries	United States, China, Germany
Tourism Revenue	58 Eillion Euros
Contribution to GDP	High – 7.5 %
Major Highway	A1 (Autoroute du Nord)
Famous Cuisine	French Cuisine (e.g., Croissants, Coq au Vin, Escargot)

2. Country with the Second Most Tourist Arrivals: Spain – 71 Million Visitors

The main office of the World Tourism Organization is located in Madrid, Spain. Spain’s varied geography, attractive coastlines, rich history, and lively culture have made it a popular tourist spot worldwide.

Total Visitors	71 million
Most Visited City	Barcelona
Famous Landmarks	Sagrada Familia, Alhambra
Top Activities	Beachgoing, Flamenco Dancing, Tapas Sampling
Main Source Countries	France, United Kingdom, Germany
Tourism Revenue	155,946 Million Euros
Contribution to GDP	High – 11.6 %
Major Highway	AP-7 (Autopista del Mediterráneo)
Famous Cuisine	Spanish Cuisine (e.g., Paella, Tapas, Jamón Ibérico)

3. Country with the Third Most Tourist Arrivals: United States – 51 Million Visitors

Tourism in the United States serves millions of visitors from around the world and within the country each year. People from other countries visit the U.S. to explore its natural beauty, cities, historical sites, and places for fun. Americans also like to visit similar places, along with spots for relaxation and vacations.

Total Visitors	51 million
Most Visited City	New York City
Famous Landmarks	Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon
Top Activities	Sightseeing, Theme Parks, Shopping
Main Source Countries	Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom
Tourism Revenue	18,840 Million USD
Contribution to GDP	High – 2.9 %
Major Highway	Interstate 95
Famous Cuisine	American Cuisine (e.g., Hamburgers, Hotdogs, BBQ Ribs)

4. Country with the Fourth Most Tourist Arrivals: Turkey – 51 Million Visitors

Tourism in Turkey has been steadily increasing in the 21st century, driving economic growth. The Turkey Home project by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism actively promotes the country as a top destination. Turkey ranks among the top five tourist destinations globally.

Total Visitors	50.5 million
Most Visited City	Istanbul
Famous Landmarks	Hagia Sophia, Cappadocia
Top Activities	Exploring historical sites, Hot air balloon rides, Turkish baths
Main Source Countries	Russia, Germany, United Kingdom
Tourism Revenue	54.3 Billion USD
Contribution to GDP	High – 7.3 %
Major Highway	E80 (D020)
Famous Cuisine	Turkish Cuisine (e.g., Kebabs, Baklava, Turkish Delight)

5. Country with the Fifth Most Tourist Arrivals: Italy – 50 Million Visitors

Italy is the fifth most visited country globally. In 2023, travel and tourism contributed EUR162.7 billion to Italy’s GDP, accounting for 10.1% of the total, and created 1,095,000 jobs directly, constituting 4.8% of total employment.

Total Visitors	50 million
Most Visited City	Rome
Famous Landmarks	Colosseum, Venice Canals
Top Activities	Sightseeing, Wine Tasting, Exploring Ancient Ruins
Main Source Countries	United States, Germany, United Kingdom
Tourism Revenue	190 Billion Euros
Contribution to GDP	High – 10.2 %
Major Highway	A1 (Autostrada del Sole)
Famous Cuisine	Italian Cuisine (e.g., Pizza, Pasta, Gelato)

6. Country with the Sixth Most Tourist Arrivals: Mexico – 39 Million Visitors

Mexico is the most visited country globally and ranks 15th in income from tourism worldwide, the highest in Latin America. Most tourists to Mexico come from the United States and Canada, with Europe and Asia following. Mexico was ranked 6th globally for travel and tourism competitiveness in 2023, placing 3rd in the Americas.

Total Visitors	39 million
Most Visited City	Mexico City
Famous Landmarks	Chichen Itza, Tulum
Top Activities	Beach Relaxation, Archaeological Site Visits, Cuisine Exploration
Main Source Countries	United States, Canada, Europe
Tourism Revenue	3 Billion USD
Contribution to GDP	Moderate – 8.5 %
Major Highway	Mexico Federal Highway 180
Famous Cuisine	Mexican Cuisine (e.g., Tacos, Enchiladas, Guacamole)

7. Country with the Seventh Most Tourist Arrivals: United Kingdom – 30 Million Visitors

Tourism started to grow in the 17th century when rich Europeans traveled around Western Europe. During the industrial revolution, more people started to go on vacations because they had more money and better transportation. Heathrow Airport thought 6.7 million people would come in April 2023.

Total Visitors	30 million
Most Visited City	London
Famous Landmarks	Big Ben, Buckingham Palace
Top Activities	Sightseeing, Afternoon Tea, Museum Visits
Main Source Countries	United States, France, Germany
Tourism Revenue	£1,141.80 Million
Contribution to GDP	High – 9.5 %
Major Highway	M25
Famous Cuisine	British Cuisine (e.g., Fish and Chips, Roast Beef, Full English Breakfast)

8. Country with the Eighth Most Tourist Arrivals: Germany – 29 Million Visitors

Traveling and tourism, both within the country and internationally, directly add over €105.3 billion to Germany’s economy. This industry supports 4.2 million jobs when considering both direct and indirect effects. Germany ranks eighth in terms of visitor numbers as of 2023. Famous places in Germany include Cologne Cathedral, the Brandenburg Gate, and Neuschwanstein Castle.

Total Visitors	29 million
Most Visited City	Berlin
Famous Landmarks	Brandenburg Gate, Neuschwanstein Castle
Top Activities	Sightseeing, Beer Tasting, Visiting Castles
Main Source Countries	Netherlands, United States, Switzerland
Tourism Revenue	32 Billion USD
Contribution to GDP	High – 8.8 %
Major Highway	A7 (Autobahn 7)
Famous Cuisine	German Cuisine (e.g., Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Pretzels)

9. Country with the Ninth Most Tourist Arrivals: Greece – 28 Million Visitors

Tourism is important for Greece’s economy, contributing over 20% of its GDP in 2023. In 2023, Greece ranked 9th globally in tourist arrivals, hosting nearly 28 million visitors. The number of tourists in Greece rose to over 31 million in 2019 and around 28 million in 2023. Greece has seen a steady increase in tourist numbers since 2007, making it one of Europe’s top destinations. Most visitors to Greece in 2007 were from Europe, with the UK and Germany leading the way. Greece boasts 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, placing it 17th globally in terms of total sites.

Total Visitors	28 million
Most Visited City	Athens
Famous Landmarks	Acropolis, Santorini
Top Activities	Island Hopping, Exploring Ancient Ruins, Beach Relaxation
Main Source Countries	Germany, United Kingdom, France
Tourism Revenue (2022)	€19.6 Billion
Contribution to GDP	Moderate – 18.2 %
Major Highway	A1 (E75)
Famous Cuisine	Greek Cuisine (e.g., Souvlaki, Moussaka, Greek Salad)

10. Country with the Tenth Most Tourist Arrivals: Austria – 26 Million Visitors

Tourism supports Austria’s economy, contributing nearly 7.5 % to its GDP. With one guest bed for every six residents, Austria enjoys high tourism income per person among OECD nations. Tourist stays in Austria remain steady throughout the year, reaching peaks in February and July/August. Vienna attracts the most tourists year-round, while Salzburg ranks second in summer.

Total Visitors	26 million
Most Visited City	Vienna
Famous Landmarks	Schönbrunn Palace, Mozart’s Birthplace
Top Activities	Sightseeing, Skiing, Hiking
Main Source Countries	Germany, United States, Italy
Tourism Revenue	$25,924 Million
Contribution to GDP	Moderate – 7.5 %
Major Highway	A1 (West Autobahn)
Famous Cuisine	Austrian Cuisine (e.g., Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, Apfelstrudel)

Conclusion – Top 10 Countries with the Most Tourist Arrivals

In conclusion, tourism is a major industry in many countries around the world. It can provide jobs, generate revenue, and help to promote cultural understanding. The number of tourists visiting a country can be affected by a number of factors, including the country’s climate, attractions, and infrastructure. Some of the countries with the most tourist arrivals in 2022 include France, Spain, the United States, and Turkey. France is the most visited country in the world, with over 75 million international tourist arrivals. Spain is the second most visited country, with over 71.7 million international tourist arrivals. The United States is the third most visited country, with over 51 million international tourist arrivals. Turkey is the fourth most visited country, with over 50.5 million international tourist arrivals.

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FAQs on Top 10 Countries with the Most Tourist Arrivals

Which country has the most tourist arrivals in the world?

France has the most tourist arrivals in the world.

Which country is No 1 for tourism?

France is No 1 for tourism.

What is the rank of India in international tourist arrivals?

India has bigger domestic tourist population so it’s not dependent on foreign tourist much. This makes India the 22nd most visited nation in the world and 8th in Asia and Pacific.

Who is the father of tourism?

Thomas Cook is the father of tourism.

Which state in India is most visited by foreign tourists?

In 2022, the state with the highest number of foreign tourists in India was Gujarat, with over 1.7 million visits. In the same year, the number of foreign tourist arrivals in India was around 6.19 million.

Who is the father of Indian tourism?

Mohan Singh Oberoi is the father of Indian tourism.