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International tourism: the most popular countries

Tourism

Drastic declines due to COVID-19

The most popular travel countries.

Traveling by plane

Germany is the world travel champion

Booming tourism and slump in 2020.

Development of global tourism

A look at the costs

Ranking: Safest travel countries

World Tourism Rankings

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that internationally there were just 25 million tourist arrivals in 1950. 68 years later this number has increased to 1  billion  international arrivals per year.

Every country on Earth has something to offer international visitors, from the pyramids in Egypt to the rain forests of Brazil or the sidewalk cafes of Paris but which countries attract the most visitors of all? Most of the countries with the highest tourism rates are located in Europe, whose rich history, architecture, and cultural influence make it an appealing destination for many travelers. Countries positioned on or near a body of water are also very popular, particularly those that offer a relaxed, low-key atmosphere mixed with beautiful beaches and ocean views.

International Arrivals Per Year

According to the  World Tourism Organization’s  yearly highlights report, there was a growth of 7% in international tourist arrivals in the last 10 years. Europe makes up 51% of the 1,326 million figure, followed by Asia and the Pacific at 24%. Economic gain through tourism peaked at US$ 1,340 billion, divided up between Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and Americas.

While tourism has picked up slightly in 2021, they still fall far short of the pre-pandemic numbers. Late 2020 projections were hopeful that the industry would be back on track by late 2021, but the ongoing nature of the pandemic has thwarted that optimism. As of late 2021, most estimates do not expect the industry to rebound to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels until sometime in 2023 at the earliest.

Top 10 Most visited Country in the World

The most popular tourist destination in the world for more than 30 years, France offers a myriad of attractions: the Eiffel tower, countless world-class restaurants, the Musée du Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, and of course, Disneyland Paris. Moreover, the lushly beautiful countryside is full of storybook villages, mountains, vineyards, and the occasional castle. One can even view prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux. Paris, France’s capital, is the most visited city in Europe, receiving 38 million tourists in 2019.

World Tourism Rankings by Country

  • UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard – United Nations World Tourism Organization
  • World Tourism Barometer – United Nations World Tourism Organization
  • Trending in Travel – World Travel & Tourism Council
  • Economic Impact Reports – World Travel & Tourism Council

World Tourism Rankings by Country

World Tourism Rankings by Country 2024

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Most Visited Countries 2024

European countries, often rich in history, culture, beautiful beaches, and ocean views, attract the highest number of tourists.

France, leading in tourism for over 30 years, offers attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris, drawing 38 million tourists to Paris alone in 2019.

Global travel and tourism, an $8.9 trillion industry in 2019, suffered a loss of $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Global travel and tourism was an $8.9 trillion (US$) business in 2019 . Moreover, though the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced that number to roughly a quarter of its previous value, all signs point to tourism continuing to grow, expand, and evolve. Every country on Earth has something to offer international visitors, from the pyramids in Egypt to the rainforests of Brazil or the sidewalk cafes of Paris —but which countries attract the most visitors of all? Most of the countries with the highest tourism rates are located in Europe , whose rich history, architecture, and cultural influence make it an appealing destination for many travelers. Countries positioned on or near a body of water are also very popular, particularly those that offer a relaxed, low-key atmosphere mixed with beautiful beaches and ocean views.

Top 10 Countries Most Popular with Tourists (by number of 2019 visitor arrivals)

The most popular tourist destination in the world for more than 30 years, France offers a myriad of attractions: the Eiffel tower, countless world-class restaurants, the Musée du Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, and of course, Disneyland Paris. Moreover, the lushly beautiful countryside is full of storybook villages, mountains, vineyards, and the occasional castle. One can even view prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux. Paris, France's capital, is the most visited city in Europe, receiving 38 million tourists in 2019.

Spain is another tourist destination overflowing with interesting attractions. Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia cathedral and other works in Barcelona , the Guggenheim museum, the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Europe's largest aquarium (the lily-shaped L'Oceanogràfic), the beaches of Gran Canaria, and La Rambla in Barcelona. Spain is also home to El Teide, an ancient—but not entirely dormant—volcano, which visitors can hike around at the Parque Nacional del Teide on the Spanish island Tenerife.

England's capital city, London , attracts visitors with a wide range of sights including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum, which includes the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo . Beyond London, England offers the mysterious Stonehenge, the Beatles' birthplace in Liverpool , the quaint beauty of the Cotswolds, the sci-fi botanical gardens of the Eden Project, and more. Speaking of more, the UK also includes three additional subdivisions. First is Scotland, with the charming city of Edinburgh , moody Loch Ness and Inverness , the scenic highlands, and the historic St. Andrews golf course. Next comes charming Wales and its castles, scenery, and capital city of Cardiff . Finally, Northern Ireland boasts attractions including Belfast 's bubbling nightlife, the glens and coastline of Antrim, and one of Europe's most compelling natural wonders: the Giant's Causeway.

The Mediterranean nation Turkey balances captivating man-made attractions such as Hagia Sophia mosque and Topkapı Palace with archaeological wonders such as the Biblical city of Ephesus, the fairy city of Cappadocia, and the desolate fallen splendor of Mount Nemrut. It also has more than its share of natural wonders, including the famous beaches at Ölüdeniz and Patara, the mineral pools at Pamukkale, and the Mediterranean coastline itself.

The South Asian country of Thailand is also known as the "Land of Smiles", and offers both modern comforts and wild adventure. Thailand's capital, Bangkok , receives over 20 million visitors every year. Popular attractions include the Grand Palace in Bangkok; beaches including Railay, Long, and Monkey beach; the ancient city Ayutthaya and ornate Buddhist wat Coi Suthep, and national parks including Khao Yai (where wild elephants roam) and the otherworldly Khao Sok.

The impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21 had a devastating effect on the travel and tourism industry. According to a report released by the World Travel & Tourism Council , the pandemic cost the industry an estimated US$ 4.5 trillion in 2020, which resulted in the loss of 62 million tourism-dependent jobs. Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization backs this up. Consider the following table:

International tourist arrivals (in thousands of visitors):

Compared to 2019, tourism dropped by approximately 74% in 2020, with a total of a billion fewer travelers over the course of the year--making 2020 the worst year on record for tourism. The UNTWO's own estimates registered a loss of US$ 1.3 trillion in lost revenues and 100-120 million jobs either lost or at risk.

The impact has been particularly damaging in countries that rely heavily upon tourism as part of their GDP. Lost tourism in Macau , one of China 's special administrative regions, led to a 79.3% drop in year-on-year gambling revenues , which caused overall GDP for 2020 to fall 43.1% compared to the previous year.

While tourism has picked up slightly in 2021, they still fall far short of the pre-pandemic numbers. Late 2020 projections were hopeful that the industry would be back on track by late 2021, but the ongoing nature of the pandemic has thwarted that optimism. As of late 2021, most estimates do not expect the industry to rebound to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels until sometime in 2023 at the earliest.

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Frequently asked questions.

  • UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard - United Nations World Tourism Organization
  • World Tourism Barometer - United Nations World Tourism Organization
  • Trending in Travel - World Travel & Tourism Council
  • Economic Impact Reports - World Travel & Tourism Council

International tourism, number of arrivals - Country Ranking

Definition: International inbound tourists (overnight visitors) are the number of tourists who travel to a country other than that in which they have their usual residence, but outside their usual environment, for a period not exceeding 12 months and whose main purpose in visiting is other than an activity remunerated from within the country visited. When data on number of tourists are not available, the number of visitors, which includes tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members, is shown instead. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries. The data on inbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival.

Source: World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.

See also: Thematic map , Time series comparison

More rankings: Africa | Asia | Central America & the Caribbean | Europe | Middle East | North America | Oceania | South America | World |

Development Relevance: Tourism is officially recognized as a directly measurable activity, enabling more accurate analysis and more effective policy. Whereas previously the sector relied mostly on approximations from related areas of measurement (e.g. Balance of Payments statistics), tourism today possesses a range of instruments to track its productive activities and the activities of the consumers that drive them: visitors (both tourists and excursionists). An increasing number of countries have opened up and invested in tourism development, making tourism a key driver of socio-economic progress through export revenues, the creation of jobs and enterprises, and infrastructure development. As an internationally traded service, inbound tourism has become one of the world's major trade categories. For many developing countries it is one of the main sources of foreign exchange income and a major component of exports, creating much needed employment and development opportunities.

Limitations and Exceptions: Tourism can be either domestic or international. The data refers to international tourism, where the traveler's country of residence differs from the visiting country. International tourism consists of inbound (arrival) and outbound (departures) tourism. The data are from the World Tourism Organization (WTO), a United Nations agency. The data on inbound and outbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals and departures, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival. The data on inbound tourism show the arrivals of nonresident tourists (overnight visitors) at national borders. When data on international tourists are unavailable or incomplete, the data show the arrivals of international visitors, which include tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Statistical information on tourism is based mainly on data on arrivals and overnight stays along with balance of payments information. These data do not completely capture the economic phenomenon of tourism or provide the information needed for effective public policies and efficient business operations. Data are needed on the scale and significance of tourism. Information on the role of tourism in national economies is particularly deficient. Although the World Tourism Organization reports progress in harmonizing definitions and measurement, differences in national practices still prevent full comparability. Arrivals data measure the flows of international visitors to the country of reference: each arrival corresponds to one in inbound tourism trip. If a person visits several countries during the course of a single trip, his/her arrival in each country is recorded separately. In an accounting period, arrivals are not necessarily equal to the number of persons travelling (when a person visits the same country several times a year, each trip by the same person is counted as a separate arrival). Arrivals data should correspond to inbound visitors by including both tourists and same-day non-resident visitors. All other types of travelers (such as border, seasonal and other short-term workers, long-term students and others) should be excluded as they do not qualify as visitors. Data are obtained from different sources: administrative records (immigration, traffic counts, and other possible types of controls), border surveys or a mix of them. If data are obtained from accommodation surveys, the number of guests is used as estimate of arrival figures; consequently, in this case, breakdowns by regions, main purpose of the trip, modes of transport used or forms of organization of the trip are based on complementary visitor surveys.

Aggregation method: Gap-filled total

Periodicity: Annual

Note: This page was last updated on December 28, 2019

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world tourism country list
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International tourism showed robust performance in January-September 2022, with arrivals reaching 63% of pre-pandemic levels in the first nine months of 2022. The results were driven by strong pent-up demand, lifting of travel restrictions of more destinations, as well as improvement of confidence levels.

Read more of the recent world tourism barometer here: UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, Volume 20, Issue 6, November 2022

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Asia and the Pacific saw arrivals more than triple (+230%) from January to September 2022 compared to same period last year, reflecting the opening of many destinations in the region, including Japan.

Aside from increasing tourist arrivals, other industry indicators such as air capacity and hotel metrics are showing robust recovery for tourism. Air seat capacity on international routes (measured in available seat-kilometres or ASKs) in January-August reached 62% of 2019 levels, with Europe (78%) and the Americas (76%) posting the strongest results. Meanwhile, according to STR, global hotel occupancy rates reached 66% in September 2022, from 43% in January.

Industry metrics can be viewed collectively in UNWTO’s Tourism Recovery Tracker . The UNWTO Tourism Recovery Tracker is available for free and is a collaborative effort by a group of partners including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), ForwardKeys, STR, Sojern, TCI Research and AIRDNA.

In terms of tourist numbers, the year 2022 is expected to close with over 900 million international arrivals, despite growing challenges pointing to a softening of the recovery pace.

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20 Most-Visited Countries in the World

France is one of the most-visited countries in the world

Which countries of the world lure the greatest number of visitors? 

According to rankings by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Europe boasts 12 of the 20 most-visited countries. But Asia and the Pacific, with five countries on the list, is the fastest-growing region (expect to see these countries climb the rankings in the future). 

Read on to find out which nations made the cut. 

20. Netherlands

The Netherlands in the spring

Capital:  Amsterdam

Population:  17.44 million

Yearly visitors:  19 million

*Due to the ongoing disruption of the travel industry from the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor numbers are from the 2019 United Nations World Tourism Organization report.

What Brings People to the Netherlands

Tourists visiting tulip fields in Netherlands

Tourism continues to be a big trend for the Dutch, with many of the travelers coming from surrounding nations ( 80 percent) , followed next by the Americas and then Asia.

When people think of the Netherlands, they often think of Amsterdam, home to historic canals, museums both impressive and quirky, and a thriving nightlife scene. But the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions wants visitors to discover it is so much more than its capital.

"We take people from Amsterdam elsewhere," Henk Philip, a partner with Tours & Tickets, has said of visiting the country. "But what we really want is for people to not even go to Amsterdam, but visit other tourist attractions in the Netherlands."

Must-See in the Netherlands

Windmills in the Netherlands

One of those fantastic attractions outside Amsterdam is Kinderdijk-Elshout. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features the bucolic landscapes and windmills the country is famous for, while serving as a historically important example of early water-management systems.

Krakow, Poland

Capital:  Warsaw

Population:  37.95 million

Yearly visitors: 19.6 million

What Brings People to Poland

Family sightseeing city of Wroclaw

Travelers seeking European panache without the crowds of stalwarts like Spain, France, Germany and Italy are increasingly turning to Poland, thanks to its illustrious history (including a rich Jewish heritage), collection of medieval castles, untouched nature and delightful cuisine (if you haven't tried pierogis, you haven't lived life).

Oh,  and it's Central-Eastern Europe's home to the most UNESCO World Heritage sites — 15 cultural and one natural.

The Polish Tourism Agency notes that 85 percent of visitors surveyed during their exit from the country would recommend and return to it. 

Must-See in Poland

Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp, Poland

Auschwitz Birkenau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a former Nazi concentration and extermination camp that is devastating but necessary to see in person.

A museum tells the story of the horrors of the camp, while honoring the lives of those who died there — over 1.1 million men, women and children in total. 

Quebec City skyline

Capital:  Ottawa

Population:  38.01 million

Yearly visitors: 21.1 million

What Brings People to Canada

Kayaking in National park in Canada

Canada's tourism industry is so immense, it accounted for $33.9 billion of the country's GDP in the first nine months of 2018 alone. Most visitors come from the neighboring U.S., followed by China and the UK, which only recently got edged out of its long-held No. 2 position. 

Of visitors to the 3.8-million-square-mile country, two-thirds arrive via Ontario, home to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and the thriving, progressive metropolis of Toronto. Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal are also big cities that get lots of love, as do resort towns like Banff, home to one of Canada's most spectacular national parks .

More adventurous travelers seek out the country's wide-open nature in places like Churchill, where polar bears and beluga whales reside; Newfoundland, home to staggering fjords, icebergs and glaciers; and the Okanagan Valley, Canada's answer to Napa with rolling vineyards and superb wine to spare. 

Must-See in Canada

Niagara Falls from Canadian side

Niagara Falls is one of the Seven Wonders of the World for a reason.

The Canadian side overlooks Horseshoe Falls, featuring a 3,000-foot crest whose vastness can only be understood when seen up close.

17. Portugal

Portuguese beach town

Capital:  Lisbon

Population:  10.31 million

Yearly visitors: 22.8 million

What Brings People to Portugal

Tourist in Lisbon

Portugal's location in Southern and Mediterranean Europe has contributed to it becoming a leader in European tourism growth. (Other countries growing swiftly include Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Croatia.)

That growth is no accident. In 2017, the country launched a 10-year tourism plan aiming to double tourism revenue by 2027, and so far, it's working. Many tourists are finding their way to Portugal's unspoiled beaches, history-steeped castles and Lisbon, the country's sophisticated urban hub. And it's safer than many other European nations to boot. 

Portugal is also at the top of the rankings for European nations .

Must-See in Portugal

Ursa Beach, Portugal

Ursa Beach is a hidden gem among many idyllic Portugal beaches.

Surrounded by craggy limestone cliffs, it offers seclusion and natural beauty equally. 

St. Petersburg, Russia in the winter

Capital:  Moscow

Population:  144.1 million

Yearly visitors:  24.5 million

What Brings People to Russia

Alexander Column and Palace Square, St. Petersburg, Russia

Many forces have converged to make Russia increasingly popular among tourists.

For one thing, Central and Eastern Europe witnessed an overall 5-percent increase in tourism last year.

Plus, after the country hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Russian Federation experienced double-digit growth in tourist spending and a 10-percent boost in visitors.

Finally, the country saw an influx of Chinese tourists following a change in Visa procedures. (As of July 2019, an additional 53 nations can use a new e-visa online program, ensuring still more growth in the coming months.)

Where to begin in this country spanning an extraordinary 6.6 million square miles? Moscow and St. Petersburg are of course excellent places to start, though you'd also be wise to explore overlooked gems like the ancient town of Sezdal. A ride on the storied Trans-Siberian Railway is a must as well. 

Must-See in Russia

Catherine Palace in St. Petersburg

Catherine Palace, aka the Summer Palace, was the summer residence of the Russian tsars, and is every bit as opulent as you'd expect. More than 220 pounds of gold adorn the exterior, while the inside features expansive frescoes, sweeping staircases and elaborate sculptures.

The over-the-top palace is located south of St. Petersburg.

15. Malaysia

Malaysian countryside

Capital:  Kuala Lumpur

Population: 32.37 million

Yearly visitors:  25.8 million

What Brings People to Malaysia

Tourist in market in Malaysia

Four Southeast Asian countries are featured on the list of the top 15 most-visited destinations of 2018. Malaysia is gaining in popularity thanks to its natural charms (rainforests, national parks and wildlife abound) and desirable tropical temps, which range from 68 to 86 degrees all year round.

Of visitors to Malaysia, the majority come from Asia. Vision 2020 , the country's tourism plan, aims to see 30 million travelers by the decade's end.

Must-See in Malaysia

Batu Caves, Malaysia

Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur features not only a series of fascinating caves, but a century-old Hindu temple.

The temple is accessed via colorful rainbow steps, which are a popular tourist attraction themselves.

14. Hong Kong

Hong Kong harbor at night

Capital:  N/A

Population:  7.482 million

Yearly visitors: 29.2 million

What Brings People to Hong Kong

Couple enjoying street food in Hong Kong

Political changes in Hong Kong have warded visitors away, but it remains one of the most visited places on the planet, largely due to its popularity among business travelers. The opening of the Hong Kong-Zuhai-Macao Bridge to connect the Greater Bay has also boosted Hong Kong's tourism industry by making automobile arrival an option for Asian travelers.

Whether visiting for travel or business, most tourists make their way to Hong Kong's wealth of shopping malls and highly rated restaurants. 

Must-See in Hong Kong

Hong Kong-Zuhai-Macao Bridge

More than being practical, the Hong Kong-Zuhai-Macao Bridge is awe-inspiring to witness in person.

At 34 miles, it's the longest sea-spanning bridge in the world.

Greek seaside town

Capital:  Athens

Population:  10.72 million

Yearly visitors:  30.1 million

What Brings People to Greece

Man and Woman Snorkelling in Greece

With its rich ancient history, Greece remains a hotspot for tourists, growing by 2 million visitors annually for the past 3 years. In fact, one in five Greeks work in the tourism industry, even following the country's economic crisis. 

Some, though, fear that Greece is joining the ranks of over-touristed areas, especially its small islands. The mayor of Santorini, for instance, is limiting the number of cruise passengers disembarking on the island to 8,000 people per day.

Must-See in Greece

Santorini, Greece

Despite contending with overcrowding, Santorini remains a must-visit place. With its whitewashed houses perched on cliffs overlooking the sea, it's precisely what you picture when you think of Greece.

See it before doing so becomes even more difficult. 

12. Austria

Austrian lake town in the Alps

Capital:  Vienna

Population:  8.917 million

Yearly visitors:  30.8 million

What Brings People to Austria

People in public park Volksgarten, Vienna

Austria may be the 12th-most-visited country in the world, but it's No. 1 when it comes to per-capita tourism in Europe. Its capital, Vienna, offers an incredibly high quality of life .

Many think of Austria's Alps, which explains why hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter are the two top vacations for visitors (enjoyed by 41 and 53 percent of visitors, respectively). Many others spend their time mountain-biking and exploring alpine lakes. 

But while the Alps are spectacular, there's so much more to see here. Austria's tourism campaign touts its nine diverse regions to explore. 

Must-See in Austria

Schloss Hellbrunn, Austria

The baroque Schloss Hellbrunn palace outside Salzburg dates back four centuries. Exploring its vast interior is best paired with a stroll through its romantic courtyard. 

Japan in the fall

Capital:  Tokyo

Population:  125.8 million 

Yearly visitors:  31.1 million

What Brings People to Japan

Tourists in Japanese Izakaya

The third-most-visited Asian destination on this list received more than 30 million visitors last year. And these numbers are expected to increase as the country hosts the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The tourism board's goal is to hit 40 million international visitors by 2020, which should be easy to accomplish. In addition to hosting the world's largest games, Japan entices visitors with its first-rate cuisine (Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city on Earth), ancient shrines, rich sense of tradition and unique natural features like snow-capped Mount Fiji. 

Outside of Asia, Americans and Australians are the nation's biggest admirers.

Must-See in Japan

Mount Fuji with cherry blossoms

Japan's cherry blossom season in early April adds magical beauty to the country's landscapes.

During the Hanami celebration to welcome spring, revelers eat, drink, sing and dance beneath the fragrant pink blossoms. 

10. United Kingdom

Sheep in British countryside

Capital:  London

Population:  67.22 million

Yearly visitors:  36.3 million

What Brings People to the U.K.

solo backpacker in london

Made up of four countries (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) that all speak English, the UK has long been a beloved destination among international travelers. Though it slipped slightly between 2017 and 2018, moving from No. 7 to No. 10 on the most-visited-countries list, Visit Britain estimates a rebound this year, with tourism growing another 6 percent.

More than half of those who arrive to the UK head to London, famous for its seamless blend of history and modern urbanity (not to mention its exemplary, scot-free museums). 

Wales is the least visited of the countries — just 2 percent of travelers make it here.

Must-See in the U.K.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is a medieval castle that houses the famed crown jewels, including dazzling scepters and crowns dating back centuries. 

9. Thailand

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Thailand

Capital:  Bangkok

Population:  69.8 million

Yearly visitors:  38.2 million

What Brings People to Thailand

Traveler in Thai temple

Thailand makes up the largest portion of Southeast Asia's travels. The country welcomed nearly 3 million more tourists in 2018 than 2017 and witnessed $6 billion in spending.

Renowned for being budget-friendly due to its exchange rate (1 USD = 30 THB), the nation is transforming into a luxury getaway with more resorts and high-end offerings pushing out the backpacking and disreputable businesses of Bangkok.

Must-See in Thailand

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

The Phi Phi Islands are so idyllic and popular that the Thai government closed them until 2021 to allow for recovery from over-tourism.

Plan a trip to the island for the future, and take care of the natural environment when you're there. 

German countryside

Capital:  Berlin

Population: 83.24 million 

Yearly visitors:  38.8 million

What Brings People to Germany

Older tourists in Berlin

Germany's visitor count has been steadily climbing for nine consecutive years. In 2017 and 2018, Germany even ranked 1st in the world on the Nation Brands Index for its popularity. 

The country is most beloved among other Europeans, particularly the Dutch. Travelers from the United States are the largest market from overseas.

Both Europeans and Americans rave about the country's thought-provoking historic attractions, spirited cities, vast forests ( they cover one-third of the nation! ) and — most importantly — excellent beer.  

Must-See in Germany

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Brandenburg Gate, which dates back to 1791, is the only remaining town gate in Berlin.

Famously, it was from here that Ronald Reagan proclaimed, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the gate has become a powerful symbol of unity. 

Tulum ruins, Mexico

Capital:  Mexico City

Population:  128.9 million

Yearly visitors:  41.4 million

What Brings People to Mexico

Traveling San Miguel de Allende Mexico

Mexico broke its tourism record in 2018 and took in more than $20.3 billion doing so. Travelers to the country spent, on average, nearly $500 while visiting, most of whom came from the United States and Canada. UK residents served as Mexico's most prolific overseas tourists.

Even post-pandemic, Mexico continues to be an accessible and incredible getaway in the Americas. Postcard-perfect beaches remain a major draw here, but the country's tourism board has also successfully highlighted its ancient history, cultural institutions, diverse cuisine and natural features beyond the shoreline, including butterfly sanctuaries, canyons and waterfalls. 

Must-See in Mexico

Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Chichen Itza, the ancient Mayan settlement, is a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to 750 to 1200 A.D.

Istabul panorama

Capital:  Ankara

Population:  84.34 million

Yearly visitors:  45.7 million

What Brings People to Turkey

Cappadocia hot air balloons

Before the pandemic, Turkey was experiencing surging popularity. In 2018, Istanbul saw a record number of visitors, luring travelers to explore its East-meets-West cultural attractions, colorful bazaars and imposing mosques. 

But it's the coastal city of Antalya in the south that's really been surging. More than 12.4 million visited this Mediterranean area last year, and the Culture and Tourism Ministry is estimating 2019 will break the 50-million-visitors mark.

Must-See in Turkey

Antalya, Turkey

Antalya's Old Town features Ottoman mosques, Roman towers and an ancient harbor lined with bustling modern-day cafes. Splendid beaches also await in the area.

No wonder travelers are coming to Antalya in droves.

Rome, Italy

Capital:  Rome

Population:  59.55 million

Yearly visitors:  62.1 million

What Brings People to Italy

Friends eating pizza in Italy

Tourism is so big in Italy that long lines at places like St. Paul's Cathedral and the Colosseum in Rome are all but guaranteed, even if you've booked reservations in advance. Statistics show Italy's tourism growth is above the European average, with Rome attracting nearly 27 million of its visitors.

Europeans travel to Italy the most: Germans account for 14 percent  of visitors, with French and UK visitors making up 3 percent each. Americans are the biggest overseas market, also at 3 percent.

Outside the throngs of Rome, Italy also boasts the rolling vineyards of Tuscany, the artistic pedigree of Florence, the natural wonders of the Amalfi Coast and the canals of Venice among its embarrassment of riches. 

Must-See in Italy

Sicily ruins, Italy

Get away from the crowds by visiting Sicily's ancient ruins and temperate beaches.

Go now before it becomes overcrowded too. Sicily saw more than 7 percent growth in tourism in recent years.

The Great Wall of China, Jinshan Mountains

Capital:  Beijing

Population:  1.402 billion

Yearly visitors:  62.9 million

What Brings People to China

Traveling family in Tiananmen Square

Not only does China receive more visitors than most of the world, but its own inhabitants account for 10 percent of all world travelers. It is expected that 20 percent of the Chinese population — 300 million people — will have passports by 2027. Chinese tourists also spend more than any other country,  nearly doubling that of No. 2 — a whopping $277 billion!

Those outside China who make their way to the country discover everything that comes with being the world's oldest continuous civilization, from villages dating back thousands of years to ancient marvels like the Great Wall. Plus, the nation's cuisine, as affordable as it is flavorful, can't be beat. 

Must-See in China

Zhaoxing Village, China

Zhaoxing Village is flanked by mountains and touts five drum towers representing five good manners in Chinese tradition: benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and trust.

3. United States

Statue of Liberty, New York

Capital:  Washington, D.C.

Population:  329.5 million

Visitors:  79.6 million

What Brings People to the United States

Friends visiting Las Vegas

Considering the United States is 3.8 million square miles, nearly as big as all of Europe, it's easy to see why it's the third-most-popular travel destination on Earth.

The country's mix of wildly diverse attractions don't hurt either, including some of the most iconic cities in the world (New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago) and a thriving national-park system .

While most visitors come for the cities, it's the country's diverse nature that sets it apart. The U.S. boasts superlatives like the largest cave system in the world, which you'll find in Kentucky, and the deepest canyon, located in Oregon. You'll find everything from snow peaks to dry desserts, gorgeous beaches to ancient mountains and deceitfully beautiful swamps. 

Must-See in the United States

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Get a taste of the country's natural frontiers by exploring Utah's Mighty Five: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reed and Zion national parks.

Flamenco dancers in Plaza de Espana, Sevilla

Capital:  Madrid

Population:  47.35 million

Yearly visitors: 82.7 million

What Brings People to Spain

Happy tourist in Seville, Spain

Many news outlets are reporting on the extreme over-tourism found in Barcelona, which hit a record 8 million visitors in 2018. But that represents just a tenth of the travelers who visit this expansive country that also includes the cultural hub of Madrid and the flamenco capital of Seville, as well as untouched countryside and gorgeous beaches.

The nation's largest tourist groups come from Germany and Britain, though people from these countries are increasingly heading to Turkey and Greece instead. In their place, Americans are filling the empty beds, with nearly 3 million people coming from the U.S. last year — an 11.8 percent growth.

Unfortunately, the influx of people has locals on edge, and the Spanish are considered to be developing " tourist phobia ," especially in Barcelona and the Catalan states.

Must-See in Spain

Camino de Santiago

Forget the tourist cities and hike the Camino de Santiago, known as "The Way," for a pilgrimage across northern Spain.

View of Paris from de Arc de Triumphe

Capital:  Paris

Population:  67.39 million

Yearly visitors: 89.4 million

What Brings People to France

tourist in Les Gorges du Verdon, Provence, France

More people are visiting France than any other country in the world, and the country has a 100-million-visitors target for 2020. Think they'll hit it? We do, too, especially considering it hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup earlier this year.

Not only does France receive the largest number of tourists, but they make the most off of them too. Tourism brought in $62 billion last year!

Get your visit in while you can. Tourism is only going to rise, especially when France hosts the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Must-See in France

Mont Saint-Michel, France

Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Northern France, is a sight truly like no other: a medieval monastery perched atop a solitary island. 

Countries With the Most International Tourists

As tourism rebounds from pandemic lows, the United Nations reports these countries welcomed the most visitors last year.

Couple with passport in hands looking at blurry flight information screen at the airport

(Getty Images) |

Tourism is Rebounding

Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down international travel worldwide, the tourism industry is bouncing back as summer arrives in the northern hemisphere.

International tourism saw a close to 200% year-over-year increase in the first quarter of 2022, and although several related statistics are still well below 2019 levels, gradual recovery is expected to continue throughout the year, according to June analysis from the United Nations World Tourism Organization . Nearly 50% of experts surveyed by the organization said they expect international tourism to return to those pre-pandemic levels from three years ago in 2023, while 44% said it could be 2024 or later.

This is especially good news for countries whose economies are the most reliant on the tourism industry. Those countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba and St. Lucia, according to 2021 gross domestic product data released in June by The World Travel & Tourism Council.

[ RELATED: These Countries Are the Best for Tourism ]

But the countries most supported economically by tourism aren't necessarily the ones that welcome the most visitors. The United Nations compiles several metrics related to inbound tourism by country , including international tourist arrivals, with the most recent data being from 2021. The statistics show that industry recovery still has a ways to go: The most-visited country in 2021 had about 32 million international arrivals. France, the top-ranked country in 2019 – before the pandemic hit – had 90 million.

Here are the countries that welcomed the most international tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the U.N. Included for each are other pieces of tourism-related data, such as GDP contribution percentages from the WTTC.

world tourism country list

10. Hungary

2021 international tourist arrivals: 7.9 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 16.9 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 4.6%

world tourism country list

2021 international tourist arrivals: 10.6 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 17.4 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 16.1%

world tourism country list

2021 international tourist arrivals: 11.7 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 35.2 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 6.4%

world tourism country list

2021 international tourist arrivals: 12.7 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 22.7 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 7.1%

world tourism country list

2021 international tourist arrivals: 14.7 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 31.3 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 14.9%

world tourism country list

5. United States

2021 international tourist arrivals: 22.1 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 79.4 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 5.5%

world tourism country list

2021 international tourist arrivals: 26.9 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 64.5 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 9.1%

world tourism country list

2021 international tourist arrivals: 29.9 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 51.2 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 7.3%

world tourism country list

2021 international tourist arrivals: 31.2 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 83.5 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 8.5%

world tourism country list

2021 international tourist arrivals: 31.9 million 2019 international tourist arrivals: 45 million 2021 percentage contribution of tourism to GDP: 13.1%

Two teenage girls sitting on bridge holding city map in front of them. Copenhagen city center.

The Countries With the Most International Tourist Arrivals in 2021:

  • United States

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Best Countries

Unveiling The Global Tourism Leaders: Top 10 Countries In World Tourism Rankings

These 10 countries brought in more money through tourism than anywhere else in the world, drawing visitors with their architecture, food, and culture.

Travel is one of the driving forces of economies all over the world, bringing money into big governments and small mom-and-pop shops alike. As travelers make their summer plans, companies are exploring which countries bring in the most travelers each year.

Yahoo! Finance has compiled a list of the top tourism countries based on how much money they brought in through tourism throughout the 2019 year. While that may seem like outdated data to be using, 2019 is the last year that truly represented travel trends through consistent spending.

With 195 countries to choose from, travelers and their wallets have shown again and again that these 10 destinations are the best in the world.

This article is designed to highlight the top ten tourism destinations in the world and why they pull in so many visitors each year. Each entry includes just a few of the most popular attractions in the country, particularly those that are major contributors to the country’s tourism money intake. Additionally, each entry includes a highly-rated hotel recommendation located in the capital of the country in question, intended to help readers ready to start planning their popular summer getaway.

Related: Top 10 Experiences Around The World You Should Try This Summer

Grand Hyatt Macau

Orania.berlin, a by adina canberra, hilton tokyo, rome cavalieri, sheraton grand london park lane, the mandarin oriental, bangkok, park hyatt paris-vendôme, the madrid edition, hilton washington dc capitol hill.

A special territory of China, Macau (also spelled Macao) is a popular tourist destination thanks to its bustling gaming and casino industry. Often called the "Vegas of China," Macau is well known for its nightlife.

Macau even has its own strip called the Cotai Strip. Those less interested in the neon lights can enjoy some of the other attractions that make Macau one of the most visited destinations in the world, including the Venetian Macau Gondola rides, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Senado Square.

  • Reasons To Visit Macau: Casinos, Cotai Strip, St. Paul's Cathedral, Senatobia Square, Venetian Macau Gondola Rides, House of Dancing Water
  • International Tourism Receipts: $40.1 billion

City Of Dreams, Macau

Related: Bang For Your Buck: 10 Affordable China Spring Destinations You Should Visit

When discussing money spent on tourism, it's not surprising that many of the highest grossing destinations are in Europe. Germany offers visitors an in-depth look at history and ultra-modern architecture and amenities.

Visitors love traveling to Germany to see World War II landmarks and beautiful historic buildings and streets. Perhaps the most popular reason people visit Germany, however, is to enjoy the seasonal beer festivals and Weinacht Maerke, Germany's Christmas markets. These seasonal attractions are a major reason Germany continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

  • Reasons to Visit Germany: Berlin Memorial Wall, Cologne Cathedral, Berlin, Hamburg, Mercedes-Benz Museum, Gendarmenmarkt, Beer Festivals, Christmas Markets, Munich, Frankfurt
  • International Tourism Receipts: $41.6 billion

Oranienplatz 17, 10999 Berlin

Related: The Best City-Like Towns In Europe: Exploring The 10 Coolest Towns That Feel Like Cities

Known as the Land Down Under, Australia’s thriving metropolises and unique variety of wildlife make it an unsurprising addition to the list of most popular tourist destinations. As an island country, visitors are as fascinated by what’s off the coast of Australia as what’s on land. The Great Barrier Reef itself draws in millions of visitors each year.

Major cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne also bring in their fair share of visitors from around the world, as does the famous Australian Outback, home to kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and hundreds of other unique species of animals.

  • Reasons to Visit Australia: Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, National Parks, Australian Outback, Canberra
  • International Tourism Receipts: $45.7 billion

1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra, ACT 2601

Japan is home to a number of truly ancient structures and natural formations, making it a fascinating destination for travelers from around the world. Japan is also a very modern destination that blends its historic culture with modern influences from around the world, making it a surprisingly friendly place for tourists to explore.

From the densely populated streets of Tokyo to the sprawling views of Mount Fuji, it’s unsurprising that tourists continue to spend billions of dollars on this unique archipelago.

  • Reasons to Visit Japan: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Buddhist Temples, Shinto Temples, Soothing Hot Springs , Universal Studios Japan
  • International Tourism Receipts: $46.1 billion

6-6-2, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023

With beautiful Mediterranean beaches, picturesque historic towns, and some of the most famous art in the world, Italy is a powerhouse when it comes to facilitating tourism. Visitors can be found spending their money to enter one of the over 3,000 museums in Italy , as well as some of the most famous historical sites in the world.

Rome and Venice, as well as numerous other summer-vacation-worthy Italian destinations , offer even more reasons to visit, drawing in visitors with their cobblestone streets, local cuisine, and unique historic buildings.

  • Reasons to Visit Italy: Colosseum, Rome, Venice, Michelangelo’s Artwork, Brunelleschi's Artwork, Milan, Local Cuisine
  • International Tourism Receipts: $49.6 billion

Via Alberto Cadlolo 101, 00136 Rome

United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland

Based on the methodology used, the United Kingdom, which includes Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England, was studied as one location. With the beauty and history of these regions, it’s no surprise that the UK has made it into the top five tourist destinations in the world.

A number of travelers visit the UK to enjoy major landmarks like Big Ben and the Tower of London. The castles of Scotland and the rolling green hills of Ireland further add to the beauty of the region and lure in billions of dollars of tourism year after year.

  • Reasons to Visit the United Kingdom: Big Ben, Tower of London, London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast
  • International Tourism Receipts: $52.7 billion

Piccadilly, London, W1J 7BX

Related: Unique United Kingdom: 10 Charming Places To Stay In Scotland, Wales, And England

The entire country of Thailand revolves around the tourism industry. The food, tours, sites, and nightlife all work together to create an unbeatable experience for tourists, and the money spent in this sector shows that this dedication is paying off.

Like many other Asian destinations, Thailand has a number of ancient but well-maintained Buddhist temples , as well as the internationally famous Wat Rong Khun, or White Temple. This art exhibit and architectural feat in Chiang Ra is one of the most beautiful destinations in all of East Asia and is just one more reason that visitors flock to Thailand for their international vacations year after year.

  • Things to Do in Thailand: Wat Rong Khun, Buddhist Temples, Bangkok, Snorkeling
  • International Tourism Receipts: $60.5 billion

The Jardine Matheson Group

48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500

Related: This Is How Far You Can Get With $100 USD In Thailand

With art and history museums and landmarks all over the country, situated comfortably alongside world-famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower, France undoubtedly earns its high position on the tourism leaderboard. Highlights like the Louvre, the city of Paris, and the Palace of Versailles, bring in millions of tourists each year, all on their own.

Most regions of France also offer a variety of guided tours to help visitors make the most of their vacation. Paris is even home to one of the most exciting outdoor experiences for 2023 , according to a study by TripAdvisor.

  • Things to Do in France: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Paris, Palace of Versailles, Guided Tours, Luxembourg Gardens
  • International Tourism Receipts: $63.8 billion

5 Rue De La Paix, 75002 Paris

The capital of Spain, Madrid, is full of enough activities to create to fill an entire vacation itinerary on its own. Paired with the rest of the beautiful country, Spain easily reaches the second spot for tourism spending.

Spain is one of the most popular destinations for travel in the world, largely because of its beautiful architecture, extensive history, and delightful food options. Whether taking a bicycle tour of downtown Madrid, lounging on the white sand beaches, or wandering through the vineyards, there are plenty of worthwhile ways to spend the day in this Western European country.

  • Things to Do in Spain: Madrid, Public Beaches, Prado Museum, Wine Vineyards, Sagrada Familia Church
  • International Tourism Receipts: $79.7 billion

Marriott International

Plaza de Celenque 2, 28013 Madrid

United States Of America

With nearly four million square miles of land to explore across 50 unique states, it is hard for any other country to compete with the tourism spending that occurs in the United States. Nearly every state has a national park, making it easy to explore the outdoors and enjoy some wildlife watching.

Exciting cities like Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York offer a fun downtown experience and even more vibrant nightlife. There are also a number of popular city-like towns across the US which offer similar experiences and amenities without the crowds and further propel America to the top of travelers’ bucket lists.

  • Things to Do in the United States: National Parks, Las Vegas, New York, Houston, Savannah, San Francisco, Florida Keys, Washington DC
  • International Tourism Receipts: $214 billion

525 New Jersey Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C., DC 20001

List of Countries by Tourism Income

Below you can find a list of countries by total tourism income and ratio of tourism income by total GDP. You can also find an interactive map below where each country is colored by its tourism income. The ratio of tourism income to the total GDP gives a rough figure which economies are most dependent on tourism income.

  • United States of America has the highest total tourism income with over 210 billion $ yearly. This huge figure however is only 1.1% of the country's total GDP
  • Spain has the second largest tourism income in the World with almost 68 billion $ yearly, making up tourism 5.2% of the total economy.
  • Another Mediterranean country, France, is the third on the list with over 60 billion yearly tourism income.
  • It is no wonder that the popular holiday destination Maldives is the leader when it comes to share of tourism in the total GDP. 2.7 billion $ tourism income of Maldives makes up 60% of the country's total GDP.
  • Palau and Grenada, two island countries of Caribbeans, come second and third after Maldives. Palau with 141 million $ and Granada with 448 million $ obtain respectively 48% and 40% of their GDP by tourism.

Countries by Tourism Income Thumbnail

Similar Data

Countries by Number of Incoming Tourists Thumbnail

Countries by Number of Incoming Tourists

External Links

  • UNWTO - World Tourism Organization

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Brilliant Maps

Making Sense Of The World, One Map At A Time

Top 100 International Tourist Destination Cities By Country

Top 100 tourist cities by country

Which city is the most popular international tourist destination? Surprisingly, it’s not Paris, London or New York.

According to 2012 data from Euromonitor International , the number one tourist destination in the world was Hong Kong with 23.7 million visitors.

Singapore and Bangkok were ranked numbers 2 and 3 respectively, showing just how much Asian tourism has grown in recent years. London, at number 4, was the top ranked non-Asian city with 15.5 million international visitors and New York City, at number 8, was the most visited city in the Americas with 11.6 million tourists.

When looking at countries as a whole, the map at the top of the page is revealing. At first glance it shows just how few African countries made the list. Another interesting finding is that while London is the 4th most visited city, it’s the only UK city to make the list. Moreover, while many European countries have top 100 cities (Switzerland being a notable exception) none has more than Italy’s 4.

But that’s nothing compared to the big 3 who dominate the list:

  • India has 6 cities on the list: Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kolkata.
  • The United States has 8: New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco, Honolulu, Washington D.C.
  • And, China has whopping 9 cities: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Zhuhai, Suzhou, Guilin, Nanjing.

Plus, this doesn’t include Hong Kong (#1) and Macau (#5), which ae both Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China .

Below are the complete rankings. Please note if you click on a city you’ll be taken to HotelsCombined where you can compare the cost of local hotels:

The data all comes from this Euromonitor International report . I’d strongly encourage you to read it if you’re curious about their methodology and other interesting findings.

If you’d like to learn about the growth of international tourism, have a look at the following books:

  • Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism
  • Rick Steves Travel as a Political Act
  • 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, the second edition: Completely Revised and Updated with Over 200 New Entries

Did your favourite city not make the list? Let us know in the comments below:

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Sporxx says

March 10, 2015 at 2:09 pm

How about Jerusalem?

March 11, 2015 at 3:20 am

The results are biased. HK does get a massive flow of tourist but this can be explained by the fact that HK airport is a massive hub (works the same for Singapore airport). It’s not a touristic destination in itself, providing the tourist facilities out of HK international airport (very few) and the time people actually spend in hk. It’s more a stop over than a touristic destination. Then, you have the flow of Chinese tourists that cross the border on week ends to go shopping in HK. sqame situation, they benefit to the economy but can they actually be counted as part of the touristic industry ?

So yes, in term of people you can rank it that way but the figures do not say what kind of flows arrive to HK.

Warren Lauzon says

January 20, 2018 at 8:41 pm

No, it is not based on inbound flights. It is based on the fact that thousands of mainlanders walk across the border every day to buy non-contaminated baby formula.

turnipcake says

March 15, 2015 at 8:43 pm

As Sa said concerning Hong Kong, this list measures arrivals of tourists, I assume, at the cities’ international airports (see report). This does not show how long tourists stay in these cities, if at all. Many of the cities are close to interesting historic and scenic areas.

July 4, 2015 at 1:32 pm

Hong Kong first ? Is it a joke ? There’s nithing to see there ! Nothing, comparing to Paris, London, NYC or Beijing…

January 20, 2018 at 8:40 pm

It counts mainland tourists, who can walk across the border. But as far as “nothing to see” – have you ever actually been there?

January 20, 2018 at 9:18 pm

Yes, I’ve been there several times. Besides shopping and a few sites, what can you see there. Paris, for example, is much much more worth it.

January 21, 2018 at 8:34 pm

Funny.. I had the same impression of Paris. Once you see the Eiffel tower and a few other sites, there is not much “there” there except for overpriced restaurants and snooty bakeries 😀

Manamana says

July 26, 2015 at 11:12 am

In Poland Krakow gets much more turists than Warsaw

Rental Italy says

October 12, 2016 at 12:43 pm

Rome on 12th place, lower than Shenzhen and Macau… Wuite surprising results.

emmettbrady says

December 26, 2016 at 12:47 am

that list seems like a load of nonsense

Raj Kishor Kannoujea says

January 6, 2017 at 12:58 pm

Nice job! but need to more.

Helmut Kremers says

March 10, 2017 at 12:58 pm

Munich had 14.1 million visitors last year – and that wasn’t even the best, so how come it isn’t on the list?!

Rahul gupta says

April 24, 2017 at 7:05 am

india brautiful country with lots of diversity and more than 22+ official language having wonders of the world filled with colors and more than 2000+ local language and world second largest English speaking nation having desert ,hills,mountain,snow fall ,largest green forest,.i think it is a pack of whole European + africa. it has lots of beautiful beaches in then having world almost every religion ,here you get temple,mosque ,churchs,and many more

SIDDHANT GARG says

May 5, 2017 at 5:09 pm

apart from India more places should you visit

Bhupinder Singh says

September 12, 2019 at 5:09 pm

If India is such a wonderful place, why does everyone want to leave?

Rental24H says

January 12, 2018 at 4:55 pm

woooww! very nice photos~! good luck

Kanika Bakshi says

January 2, 2019 at 5:02 am

India is a beautiful country with lots and different culture. you will be able to learn more about its culture, traditions and languages with different food recipes.

Jonathan Ridgway says

April 14, 2019 at 12:18 am

This is list is sooo inaccurate. Business insider has a more correct list.

Kaushal Soni says

September 29, 2019 at 4:17 pm

Loved it, Insightful List!

Patricia Kavanagh says

December 22, 2019 at 9:39 am

Echo sentiments above. HK is a transport hub. Much more complex than first seems. India already has large population so will skew figures for there.

Chiku Cab says

January 28, 2020 at 11:17 am

Hey, nice post and very informative, Thanks for sharing this information.

April 4, 2020 at 8:42 am

Here is an interesting fact about the list. Turkish city Edirne has only 200K population and not so much touristic to get in this list on 62th place in the world and 4th in Turkey. Why is it here? Because Edirne covers the western border of Turkey between Bulgaria and Greece and so the EU. It is not just touristic numbers, it is also industrial transportation and transit passages all over to Turkey. This list is not accurate.

Aman Kumar says

September 26, 2020 at 7:06 am

now its very old

Kirti Pathak says

January 5, 2021 at 3:43 pm

You have list top 100 list but I think you can add some more to it.

Big Cab varanasi says

September 10, 2022 at 8:50 pm

Very informative post… Thanks for sharing

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These are the world’s happiest countries in 2024

Travel & tourism.

United States, Germany drop out of top 20 happiest nations, rank 23rd and 24th

Finland

Helsinki: Finland remained the world's happiest country for a seventh straight year in an annual UN-sponsored World Happiness Report published on Wednesday. For the first time since the report was published more than a decade ago, the United States and Germany were not among the 20 happiest nations.

  • Why young people are becoming less happy than older generations

Data from over 140 countries fuels the report, ranking nations based on average life satisfaction during the past three years (2021-2023). This UN initiative partners with Gallup, Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, along with an editorial board.

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The report examines six factors affecting life satisfaction: wealth (GDP per capita), social connections, health, freedom, generosity, and minimal corruption. Additionally, Nordic countries kept their places among the 10 most cheerful, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden trailing Finland.

Stock - New York skyline

US drops out of the top 20

For the first time since the report was published more than a decade ago, the United States and Germany were not among the 20 happiest nations, coming in 23rd and 24th respectively.

In both the United States and Canada, happiness scores for individuals under the age of 30 were significantly lower compared to those aged 60 and above. According to CNN, in the US, individuals under 30 were ranked at No. 62, while those aged 60 and older were ranked at No. 10. Similarly, in Canada, the younger demographic was ranked at No. 58, while those 60 and older were ranked at No. 8.  In turn, Costa Rica and Kuwait entered the top 20 at 12 and 13.

The report noted the happiest countries no longer included any of the world's largest countries. "In the top 10 countries only the Netherlands and Australia have populations over 15 million. In the whole of the top 20, only Canada and the UK have populations over 30 million."

Growing inequality

Jennifer De Paola, a happiness researcher at the University of Helsinki in Finland, said that Finns' close connection to nature and healthy work-life balance were key contributors to their life satisfaction.

In addition, Finns may have a "more attainable understanding of what a successful life is", compared to for example the United States where success is often equated with financial gain, she said.

Finns' strong welfare society, trust in state authorities, low levels of corruption and free healthcare and education were also key.

"Finnish society is permeated by a sense of trust, freedom, and high level of autonomy," De Paola said.

awe

Youth happiness declining

This year's report also found that younger generations were happier than their older peers in most of the world's regions - but not all.

In North America, Australia and New Zealand, happiness among groups under 30 has dropped dramatically since 2006-10, with older generations now happier than the young.

By contrast, in Central and Eastern Europe, happiness increased substantially at all ages during the same period, while in Western Europe people of all ages reported similar levels of happiness.

Happiness inequality increased in every region except Europe, which authors described as a "worrying trend".

The rise was especially distinct among the old and in Sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting inequalities in "income, education, health care, social acceptance, trust, and the presence of supportive social environments at the family, community and national levels," the authors said.

Bottom list

Afghanistan, plagued by a humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban regained control in 2020, stayed at the bottom of the 143 countries surveyed.

The sharpest decline in happiness since 2006-10 was noted in Afghanistan and Lebanon while the Eastern European countries Serbia, Bulgaria and Latvia reported the biggest increases.

The happiness ranking is based on individuals' self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption.

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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As society progresses, the tourism sector, much like many other sectors, needs to transform to serve as a catalyst for prosperity at a universal scale. Enhancing the well-being of individuals, safeguarding the natural environment, stimulating economic advancement, and fostering international harmony are key goals that are the fundamental essence of UN Tourism. The organization takes on the role of driving a sustainable force that is now central to many economies

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Opens Calls for Best Tourism Villages 2024

According to the first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of the year, international tourism ended 2023 at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international arrivals.

The multi-dimensional nature of the tourism sector, combined with the dynamics of the source of investment capital presents a complex picture for understanding and measuring tourism investments.

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN Tourism

"UN tourism is leading the way forward in growing investments into the tourism sector. We serve as the bridge between investors and destinations, and we guide investments where they will have the biggest impact in making tourism more resilient, inclusive and sustainable."

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili UN Tourism Secretary-General

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* The designations employed in this section of the website do not imply the expression of any opinions whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Moscow

Written by Diana Bocco Updated Dec 23, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Moscow is one of Europe's most enigmatic destinations, home to a fascinating history and colorful, awe-inspiring architecture you won't find anywhere else in the world. Moscow might be one of the most populous cities in the world with over 11 million inhabitants, but this hasn't changed its strong cultural and social traditions.

Walk the cobblestone streets of the Red Square or the banks of the Moskva River early in the morning, and it's hard to tell what century you're in.

Tsarist architecture, must-see churches, and glamorous shopping opportunities blend together for a visual experience you won't forget. For ideas on what to see and do while visiting Russia, here's our list of top tourist attractions in Moscow.

1. Marvel at the Size of the Kremlin

2. catch a performance at the bolshoi theatre, 3. shop at the luxurious gum, 4. make your way into lenin's mausoleum, 5. spend an hour (or three) at red square, 6. discover history at the museum of cosmonautics, 7. ride the stunning moscow metro, 8. explore the moscow state integrated museum-reserve, 9. spend a rainy day at the tretyakov gallery, 10. walk up and down arbat street, 11. stop by the vdnkh all-russian exhibition centre, 12. wander around gorky park, where to stay in moscow for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions & things to do in moscow.

Kremlin

Moscow's most recognizable structure is without a doubt the Kremlin, a 15th-century fortified complex that covers an area of 275,000 square meters surrounded by walls built in the 1400s.

The Grand Kremlin Palace -which has over 700 rooms- was once home to the Tsar family and is now the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation, although most heads of state choose to reside elsewhere.

The massive complex also includes many other buildings, some of which are open to the public and can be visited regularly. Aside from three cathedrals (including one where the Tsars were once crowned) and a number of towers, the Kremlin is also home to the Armory building, a museum holding everything from the royal crown and imperial carriages to the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible and Fabergé eggs.

Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theater is home to the largest and one of the oldest ballet and opera companies in the world . While the theater has undergone several major renovations over the past century-including a recent one in 2011 to restore some of the imperial architectural details-it still retains all of its Neoclassical grandeur.

The Bolshoi Theater you see today opened in 1824, after several older versions burned down. Inside, red velvet, a three-tiered crystal chandelier, and gilt moldings give the place a Byzantine-Renassaince grandiose feel like no other.

Catching a show from the resident ballet and opera troupes is a treat, as the theater often presents a number of classic performances, such as Tchaikovsky's Mazeppa and Rachmaninoff's Francesca da Rimini, both of which originally premiered here.

GUM

Moscow's oldest and most upscale shopping center is an architectural marvel. GUM (short for Glávnyj Universálnyj Magazín or "Main Universal Store") was built in the late 1800s in neo-Russian style to showcase a beautiful mix of a steel skeleton and 20,000 panels of glass forming an arched roof.

This was a unique construction at the time, since the glass had to be strong enough to support the snow-heavy Russian winters. The building is just as impressive outside, with all three levels covered in marble and granite.

While GUM is no longer the largest shopping center in Moscow, it's still by far the most beautiful. Home to brands like Gucci and Manolo Blahnik, this might not be the ideal destination for most budget-conscious visitors, but the beauty of the building itself is worth a visit.

On the third floor, there are also great dining options, including a Soviet-style canteen that serves traditional Russian food, and a stand selling ice cream made by hand using an original 1954 recipe originally approved by the Soviet government.

Lenin's Mausoleum

Lenin's Mausoleum, the final resting place of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, occupies a central spot in Red Square. His body has been in the mausoleum since his death in 1924-and although the original plan was for him to be buried after a short period of public display for mourning, the plan quickly changed.

After over 100,000 visited the tomb over a period of six weeks, it was decided that a new sarcophagus and a more permanent display space could actually preserve Lenin's body for much longer than expected-and Lenin's Mausoleum was built.

Over the years, the mausoleum and its marble stairs also became the main spot from where Soviet leaders would watch parades and events happening in Red Square.

Lenin's embalmed body can still be seen today, lying down in a bulletproof glass sarcophagus as if he's sleeping. While a visit to the mausoleum is certainly unusual, it has become a must-do for history buffs looking to understand how Lenin's legacy truly changed the nation. Come ready to wait, though -there are usually lines to get in.

St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square

All of Moscow's main streets start at Red Square, so it's easy to see why this is considered the heart of the city. A massive space of 330 meters by 70 meters, the square is flanked by the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, two cathedrals, and the State Historical Museum.

In 1945, a massive Victory Parade was held here to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Soviet Armed Forces.

St. Basil's Cathedral , one of the most recognizable buildings on the square, was built in 1555. The unique cathedral has architectural details inspired by Byzantine and Asian design, as well as details that resemble those found in famous mosques. There are nine individual chapels inside the church, all decorated with colorful mural art.

Both the square itself and the Kremlin are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites . On weekends, there are sometimes stalls selling souvenirs and traditional items here, such as matryoshka (Russian nesting dolls), at the entrance of the square.

Monument to the Conquerors of Space

At one point, Russia and the US were toe-to-toe when it came to space exploration. While that might no longer be the case, the museum's amazing collection-which includes over 85,000 items-is still awe-inspiring.

Main exhibits include the space capsule used by Yuri Gagarin , the first human to travel into outer space; a USSR flag with moon fragments; a Soviet spacesuit; and a rocket propulsion unit from the 1960s. A special two-story hall showcases sections of the Mir space station interior, and there are also models of the first sputniks and a replica miniature spaceship.

English-language tours are available, and there's also a Cinema Hall showing subtitled short films about the history of space exploration programs and the first manned space flight.

The museum is located inside the base of the monument to the Conquerors of Space, which was built almost 20 years before the museum opened.

Komsomolskaya Station on the Moscow metro

Riding the Moscow metro is an experience all in itself, but even just heading underground to walk through the stations is something no visitor should miss. With 223 stations and 12 metro lines crosscutting through Moscow, however, this can be tricky, so visiting at least a few of the most impressive ones is a good start.

Arbatskaya station was designed by a skyscraper architect, so it's no surprise that it features multicolored granite slabs and impressive bronze chandeliers.

Park Kultury station , located next to Gorky Park, is covered in marble and features reliefs of people involved in sports, while Teatralnaya station is decorated with porcelain figures dancing and wearing traditional Russian costumes.

The metro is open between 5:30am and 1:00am but it's very crowded in the early morning and after 4pm, so it's better to visit in the late morning or early afternoon to really appreciate the architecture without the crowds.

Kolomenskoye Estate

The Moscow State Integrated Art and Historical Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve is a cultural open-air museum complex comprised of four different historical sites.

The most important site, the Kolomenskoye Estate, was once the summer residence of Tsars as far back as the 14 th century. The complex, which covers almost 300 hectares, is home to fairy-tale wooden palaces; a tent-roof stone church built in the 1500s; a water tower; fort towers and structures; and the 24-room Museum of Wooden Architecture , which includes the restored dining room of Tsar Alexei I.

Beautiful manicured gardens , riverside picnic areas, and a massive collection of both artifacts and structures make this a great destination to help you see what medieval Russia looked like. English-language tours are available, but you're also free to wander the grounds on your own.

Tretyakov Gallery

The largest collection of Russian art in the world sits here, with over 180,000 paintings, sculptures, and religious art dating back to over a millennia ago. The gallery, built using beautiful red and white colors from classical Russian architecture, is located near the Kremlin and it was built in the early 20 th century.

Significant art pieces include the Vladimir Mother of God; a Byzantine icon of the Virgin and child dating back to the 1100s; Andrei Rublev's The Trinity icon from the 15 th century; and several works by Ilya Repin, the most famous realist painter in Russia.

On the grounds of the museum, there is also an 86-meter-tall statue of Peter the Great, as well as a number of Socialist Realism sculptures.

Night view of Arbat Street decorated for the holidays

Moscow's one-kilometer-long pedestrian street has been around since the 15 th century. Originally a trade route in the outskirts of the city, Arbat Street is now very centrally located, home to posh buildings and lots of places to eat and shop.

Beautiful street lamps and two significant statues-one of Princess Turandot (from Puccini's last opera) and one of Soviet-era poet Bulat Okudzhava-adorn the street, which fills up with both locals and tourists on evenings and weekends.

A great place to pick up souvenirs or sit down at an outdoor café, Arbat Street also offers a chance to visit the former home of poet Alexander Pushkin and the café both Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy used to visit.

VDNKh All-Russian Exhibition Centre and the Friendship of the Peoples Fountain

Although it was originally designed as a general-purpose trade show venue, this park complex now houses amusement rides , ice rinks , and a number of galleries and other attractions for all ages.

The park's most famous landmarks are the Moskvarium, a marine biology center home to over 8000 species of marine animals, the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and a shopping center selling traditional products from former Soviet countries.

There's even a film museum showing Soviet cartoons or even a full-length film (for an extra fee) and an education center offering masterclasses on everything from becoming a barista to video montage (call or write in advance to find out which ones are English-friendly).

Soviet-era pavilions, sculptures, and fountains abound here as well, including the famous Friendship of the Peoples Fountain, which features statues of women dressed in costumes from different former Soviet countries.

Main entrance gate to Gorky Park

Named after the famous Russian writer Maxim Gorky (who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times but never won it) and sitting right across the Moskva River, Gorky Park covers 120 hectares of beautiful ponds and green spaces.

Popular with both locals and tourists, the park offers a variety of things to enjoy-from sunbeds, hammocks, and drinking fountains to free yoga classes and children's playgrounds. There's free Wi-Fi and sockets for charging your phone, as well as many food stands and plenty of wild animals, including deer, rabbits, and pheasants.

Visitors can rent paddle boats and bicycles to explore the park-and from May to October, there is also an open-air movie theater, as well as scheduled presentations by street performers, musicians, and artists. Gorky Park attracts the young and old, so don't be surprised to see a mix of people exercising, playing chess, and sunbathing.

Luxury Hotels :

  • Lotte Hotel Moscow is one of the top 5-star properties in Moscow offering the largest Royal Suite in Russia. The trendy rooms and suites here all have contemporary style and great city views. On-site amenities are plentiful. There are two restaurants: one serving contemporary Italian fare, and the other Japanese. There is an impressively lit indoor swimming pool, a well-known spa, and a state-of-the-art gym.
  • Another excellent luxury hotel is the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow . The residential-style property is in the heart of Moscow just next to the Bolshoi Theatre and within walking distance of the Kremlin and Red Square. The rooms and suites have been opulently designed by Tony Chi. The on-site restaurant serves a mix of European and Armenian specialities. There is also a Japanese sushi bar and a rooftop lounge with fabulous city views.
  • The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya also has a central location just a few minutes from the Kremlin and Red Square. The 5-star property has a mix of elegant rooms and suites, including interconnecting room options for families with kids. There are multiple restaurants on-site including an Italian bistro. Other amenities include the fabulous Iridium Spa, which does a full range of treatments and has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and steam room.

Mid-Range Hotels :

  • Palmira Business Club is a top mid-range choice. The contemporary lifestyle hotel offers well-appointed rooms and suites, including options for families. Suites are quite spacious and have kitchenettes. Amenities here include a complimentary breakfast at the on-site restaurant, a hot tub, sauna, and spa. There is also a fitness center.
  • The trendy Mercure Moscow Baumanskaya offers a mix of rooms and suites with contemporary decor. The mid-range hotel can arrange airport transportation and offers baggage storage. Other amenities include a restaurant and room service. The front desk is open 24 hours.
  • Boutique Hotel Brighton is about 10 minutes from the city center in a leafy park area. It offers excellent value for money and has charming rooms and suites with sound-proof windows and doors, as well as blackout curtains. A complimentary breakfast is served, and there is also an indoor swimming pool.

Budget Hotels :

  • Hotel Ibis Budget Moscow Panfilovskaya is about a 15-minute drive from Moscow's downtown, and it's within walking distance from a metro station that will take you there. The soundproof rooms at this budget property are clean, comfortable, and can sleep up to three people. The hotel is pet friendly, has paid parking available on-site, and also has a salon.
  • If you just need a budget hotel near the airport then check out Aviator Hotel Sheremetyevo . Located right at the airport, it has soundproof rooms, including options for families. Amenities include an indoor play area for kids, a sauna and swimming pool, and a free breakfast.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

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Exploring Russia: Whether you are interested in history, nature, or architecture, there's much to see in Russia. For a good introduction to some of the most fascinating spots in the country, take a look at our article on the Best Places to Visit in Russia . For more on Russia's second-largest city and all it has to offer, check out our piece on the Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in St. Petersburg .

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world tourism country list

15 Most Visited Countries in Europe

I n this article, we will be looking at the 15 most visited countries in Europe. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 5 Most Visited Countries in Europe .

Tourism across the globe took a major hit due to the pandemic and Europe was not immune to it. The number of foreign tourist arrivals is improving gradually, however, has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. According to a report by the European Travel Commission, in the fourth quarter of 2023, European tourism showed resilience in a time marked by surging inflation and foreign arrivals were just 1.6% below 2019 levels. In the fourth quarter of 2023, inflation surged by 23% compared to 2019 levels. The recovery was driven by strong intra-European travel, notably from Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Southern European destinations saw significant growth, while Eastern European countries lagged. Furthermore, Chinese arrivals remained 67% below pre-pandemic levels, while North American markets showed significant recovery.

As European tourism rebounds from the pandemic lows, the travel industry is witnessing an increasing reliance on technology to enhance the travel experience and na vigate challenges. Travel technology is becoming an integral part of trip planning. It enhances the visitor experience by providing convenience in planning and booking, access to real-time information, personalized recommendations, improved communication, and safety features. 

Travel Technology Industry: An Overview

According to a report by IMARC Group, the global travel technology industry was valued at $10 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% from 2024 to 2032. The global travel technology industry is forecasted to reach a value of $17.8 Billion by 2032. Services are becoming more innovative, efficient, and personalized which is expected to fuel the growth of the global travel technology market during the forecast period.

Integration of the latest technologies including artificial intelligence and augmented reality is changing service delivery in the travel technology industry. Artificial intelligence, especially generative AI, is enabling users to get personalized travel itineraries and services. Tripadvisor Inc (NASDAQ: TRIP ) is a notable company using AI to enhance customer experience. The company has added an AI-powered travel itinerary generator to its core trip-planning product, Trips. Leveraging OpenAI's technology and insights from over a billion reviews, users can quickly create personalized itineraries by inputting their destination, travel dates, and interests. 

In 2023, North America was the most dominant region in the global travel technology industry. The Asia Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth. The rapid adoption of digital solutions in countries including India and China is expected to contribute to the growth of the region during the forecasted period.

Prominent Players in the Travel Technology Industry

Amadeus IT Group SA (BME:AMS), Sabre Corp (NASDAQ: SABR ), and Tripadvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) are some of the most notable companies in the global travel technology industry.

Amadeus IT Group SA (BME:AMS) is a major Spanish multinational technology company that specializes in providing advanced IT solutions to the travel and tourism industry. The company is helping both travel services providers and consumers streamline and enhance the travel experience using the latest tech solutions. On March 11, Amadeus IT Group SA (BME:AMS) announced the acquisition of Voxel. Voxel is a prominent provider of electronic invoice and B2B payment solutions for the travel industry. The acquisition would enable the company to enhance the travel payment experience and expand its payments business, Outpayce. The company would now be able to offer a broader range of payment services for travel sellers and streamline invoice management for various players in the travel sector.

Sabre Corp (NASDAQ:SABR) is another noteworthy company in the global travel technology industry. The company provides innovative solutions to airlines, hoteliers, agencies, and other travel partners. On March 11, Sabre Corp (NASDAQ:SABR) announced the development of Sabre Red Launchpad. The launchpad is a new booking solution aimed at new or independent travel consultants which has been developed in collaboration with Internova Travel Group. This tool streamlines the booking process for basic air, hotel, and car itineraries via a user-friendly interface. Internova will roll out a co-branded version, Internova SNAP, Powered by Sabre, to its US travel advisors. Sabre Red Launchpad complements the company's existing agency booking solution Sabre Red 360 which was designed to offer flexibility and choice to travel agencies.

Tripadvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) was founded in 2000 and offers a comprehensive platform where travelers can access travel information, reviews, and opinions. On February 14, Tripadvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) reported earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023. The company reported an EPS of $0.38, beating estimates by $0.16. The company's revenue for the quarter grew by 10.17% and amounted to $390 million, ahead of market consensus by $14.86 million. As of March 16, the stock has surged nearly 69.29% over the past six months. Here are some comments from the company's earnings call:

"We were pleased to exit the year with results that exceeded our expectations. Q4 revenue was $390 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 10%. Q4 adjusted EBITDA was $84 million, 22% of revenue, exceeding expectations due to revenue outperformance at brand Tripadvisor and marketing efficiencies at both Brand Tripadvisor and Viator. For the full year, consolidated revenue grew by 20% to an all-time high of $1.8 billion and adjusted EBITDA grew 13% to $334 million. Last year, we made meaningful progress executing against our strategic priorities. We reinforced our market leadership position at Viator while sharpening our focus on smart user acquisition. Viator also finished the year at breakeven profitability, achieving the full year milestone a year earlier than anticipated. At Brand Tripadvisor, we invested in our strategy and delivered promising early proof points while maintaining financial discipline. Finally, at the fork, we delivered revenue gains while significantly improving our profit margin through disciplined cost management and exited the year at breakeven for Q4. Our results also reflect how we're building a stronger, more diversified and defensible position in the large and growing global travel and experiences industry. We have a unique and leading position in the high-growth experiences category, given the breadth of Tripadvisor and the depth of Viator."

With the advancement of travel technology solutions planning a trip is becoming very convenient. Many countries across the globe are experiencing a huge influx of visitors and the numbers are increasing. Tourism in Europe is almost back to its pre-pandemic levels as well. Let's take a look at the most visited countries in Europe.

Our Methodology

To make our list of the most visited countries in Europe, we have used data from the UN World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO ). The UNWTO collects, analyses, and publishes statistics on tourism. We have used the number of arrivals per country as a metric to arrange our list. The latest available data is for 2022. The list has been arranged in ascending order.

15. Hungary

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 12.65 Million

Hungary offers a rich tapestry of cultural and natural wonders that make it a captivating tourist destination in Europe. Budapest, Lake Balaton, and Eger are among the most popular places in the country. In 2022, 12.65 million people visited the country. Tourism formed 3.1% of the total exports of the country during that year. 

14. Romania

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 12.7 Million

Romania is one of the most visited countries in Europe. The country offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. The most visited cities in Romania include Bucharest, Constanța, and Brașov. Tourism accounted for 3.8% of the total exports in 2022. The country experienced an influx of 12.7 million visitors in 2022.

13. Denmark

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 14.19 Million

Denmark is a captivating destination in Northern Europe known for its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant culture. In 2022, 14.19 million people visited the country. Some of the top places to visit in Denmark include Copenhagen, Roskilde, and Odense.

12. Croatia

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 15.32 Million

Croatia is a country located in Eastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. The country is a diverse and enchanting destination known for its rich history and stunning landscapes. Tourism contributes significantly to the overall GDP of the country. In 2022, tourism accounted for 30.1% of the total exports. 15.32 million people visited Croatia in 2022.

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 15.95 Million

Poland is one of the most visited countries in Europe. Poland is a country located in Central Europe. The country offers a rich cultural heritage, with many historical sites, castles, and palaces. Some notable attractions include the 13th-century Wieliczka Salt Mine, the Masurian Lake District, and Białowieża Forest. In 2022, the country recorded a staggering 15.95 million tourist arrivals. 

10. Netherlands

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 16.58 Million

The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country located in northwestern Europe. Amsterdam, the capital city of the country, is a popular tourist destination. The total number of visitors to the Netherlands was 16.58 million in 2022. The country has a highly developed economy. In 2022, tourism accounted for 1.5% of the total exports. 

9. Portugal

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 22.25 Million

Portugal is one of the most visited countries in Europe. The country is located on the Iberian Peninsula, in Southwestern Europe. The country is also known for its unique cultural heritage, including its cuisine, wines, and hospitable people. 22.25 million individuals chose Croatia as their travel destination in 2022.

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 26.22 Million

Austria, officially known as the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Popular tourist destinations in Austria include Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Innsbruck. In 2022, tourism accounted for 7.6% of the total exports. The country welcomed 26.22 million tourists in 2022.

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 27.84 Million

Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is one of the most visited countries in Europe. In 2022, a staggering 27.84 million tourists came to the country which made up 18.9% of the total exports. Greece is characterized by its stunning landscapes, including mountains, islands, and a vast coastline.

Number of Arrivals In 2022: 28.46 Million

Germany is a country in the western region of Central Europe. In 2022, 28.46 million people visited the country. The country has a rich history and culture. Some of the most popular destinations in the country include Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, and Neuschwanstein Castle. Tourism accounted for 1.5% of the total exports of the country in 2022.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Visited Countries in Europe .

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Disclosure: None. 15 Most Visited Countries in Europe is originally published on Insider Monkey.

15 Most Visited Countries in Europe

The Planet D: Adventure Travel Blog

17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

Written By: Linda Voltaire

Updated On: December 21, 2022

the very best things to do in moscow

Visiting Russia? These are the top 17 things to do in Moscow to help you plan your trip.

If the western world has New York City , the first great metropolis on the eastern side of our planet is Moscow. A huge city with a complicated and impressive history, Moscow gets a bad rep over Russian politics – but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Capital to the largest country in the world, Moscow takes the grandeur of its standing very seriously.

This is a place where luxury is king and where opulence takes a front seat in every aspect of life. The buildings are grand and imposing, the parks are luscious and enormous, and even the subway stations look different in Moscow than anywhere else in the world.

Table of Contents

Best Things to do in Moscow, Russia

Walking around Moscow is also going through the tumultuous history of the 20th century, which had Russia as one of its main protagonists. There are fascinating remains of these times everywhere in the former Soviet capital, from the gorgeous Seven Sisters skyscrapers to the Orthodox cathedrals that were closed for the better part of a century.  Still, Moscow is also a completely modern city, with a vibrant social and party scene, incredible restaurants, and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

After living in Russia’s capital as an ex-pat for four years, I got the privilege to experience not only the main attractions in Moscow but also the everyday life in this huge city and quickly found my sweat spots off the beaten tracks! So here is my list of my top 17 things to do in this exciting metropolis!

things to do in moscow russia | russian market

Attractions in Moscow

When visiting a famous city like this one, it’s a must to go through the most iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin & Surrounding Area

moscow tourist attractions | St. Basil’s Cathedral

No place tells the story of Moscow’s power in the past century the way the Red Square does. This is where the biggest political meetings in the USSR occurred for many decades, and you can feel the power on each step.

Here, you’ll also find the historic museum at the entrance, showcasing the decades of history behind this iconic landmark. The Lenin Mausoleum, perhaps the most famous resting place in the world and home to the remains of the former communist leader, is also here.

On one side of the Red Square you’ll find the Kremlin, the fortified complex that now hosts the presidential residence. This is also home to the most iconic of all Moscovite landmarks: St. Basil’s Cathedral, a 16th-century marvel of colors. This is the best spot to take a selfie and show the world you’ve reached the Russian capital!

  • Get your Kremlin Skip the Line Tickets and Kremlin tour here.
  • Free cancellation up to 24-hours in advance of the tour.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

moscow things to do | bolshoi theatre

You can easily spend a couple of days just exploring the Moscovite city centre, and the Bolshoi Theatre should be your second stop. Walk past the Red Square and then head to the nearby Bolshoi Theatre, one of the oldest and most renowned houses of opera and ballet on Earth.

Visit for the impressive early 19th-century architecture, but if you’re seeing a ballet performance, make sure you book between 3 and 6 months in advance! I can strongly recommend this as it is a truly unique experience!

  • Book a private 2-hour tour of the legendary Bolshoi Theatre.
  • See the presidential box reserved for tzars, watch a rehearsal and skip the lines through a separate entrance.
  • Free Cancellation up to 24-hours in advance.

3. Luxury Shopping at GUM and TSUM

russia moscow sites | GUM

While many might think of Moscow as the sad place with the long bread queues from the USSR days, it’s been quite the capitalist haven for a while.

If you’re up for some shopping, you’ll find one of the biggest luxury malls in town, TSUM, right behind the Bolshoi and GUM, at the red square. GUM is the most famous department store in town, where you’ll find luxury everywhere and all high-end brand. 

All in an imposing late 19th-century building with lots of history, worth a visit just for the design, its bridges and the glass roof even though you are not up for shopping!

4. Christ the Savior Cathedral

things to see in moscow | christ the savoir cathedral

A newer addition to the gorgeous Moscovite cathedrals and my grandeur neighbor during my years in the city Don’t let the young age of this building fool you. After the perestroika in the early 90s, the newly revived Russian Orthodox Church received permission to build a cathedral on this site. They did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church.

The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes as tall as the skies in bright gold and gorgeous paintings and decor! Bring a shawl to cover your hair to adjust to the local tradition.

Head to the back of the cathedral and you will find one of the most photographed bridges in Moscow, the Patriarshiy Most. This is the perfect spot to get a good view and photo of the cathedral but also to see the Kreml and Gorky Park from a distance. Or why not just enjoy a moment watching the river and its boats!  

  • Get around Moscow with ease using the Hop On Hop Off boat and Bus ticket. 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets available.

5. Gorky Park

tourist attractions in moscow | gorky park

Cross the river and head to Gorky Park along the Moscow river. The most famous green area in town, similar to New York ’s Central Park and the weekend hangout for locals. There are many beautiful parks in the city, but if you’re only visiting for a few days, this is the unmissable one! 

With fair attractions to entertain children, beautiful artificial lakes and gardens, and lots of outdoor activities, it’s a lovely place to relax. A place of rest in the middle of the metropolis. The area in front of the New Tretyakov Gallery & the Muzeon Park of Arts is actually one of my favorite oasis as a bit more quiet and peaceful than Gorky itself.

Why not spend some time in the museum to get a great tour of Russia’s history through art or just enjoy the art exhibition outside where local artists spend their weekends. 

6. River Cruising

tourist attractions points of interest

One of the best ways to experience Moscow is from the Moscow River. There are many stops for the boats and one is just next to Gorky Park. See the city from another perspective – and turn the ride into a romantic one by taking the evening cruise. Moscow is magic during the night.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, take the Radisson Blu cruise – or the Erwin for a delicious seafood dinner. Both stop at Gorky or at the luxury Radisson Royal Hotel, set in one of the Seven Sister’s skyscrapers.

  • We use Get Your Guide when booking city tours and they offer a River Sightseeing Cruise seeing all the main tourist attractions in Moscow

7. Metro Hopping

unusual things in moscow | train station

First inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow subway system is one of the oldest in the world, and certainly the most beautiful. Started under Stalinist times, each metro station is dedicated to grandeur and oozing personality.

Visiting the subway stops is an attraction in and of itself, and Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Kropotkinskaya are my favorites. Those surrounding the Red Square are also mesmerizing – in general, these are kind of like underground palaces.

Most of the signs at the Moscow Metro now have Latin letters, so it’s very easy to get around!Unfortunately, the trains are not as beautiful and pleasant as the stations but still, this is a true Moscow experience.  Take a guided tour of the 9 most beautiful Metro Stations including the award-winning art deco station. See more details here.

8. Arbatskaya & Artsy Moscow

place to visit in moscow | arabatskaya

Novy Arbat Street is one of the most touristy areas in the city, with lots of shops and cafés directed at visitors. When you walk a little beyond, you’ll find a different part of town, where the hip scene thrives because so many artists live in the area. Just follow the small streets with fewer tourists!

9. Moscow State University View

moscow unique things to do | university

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings hosts the main building of the Moscow State University, one of the most prestigious colleges in Russia – and the one with the best view.

Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is more than worth it, with the nearby fountains and park and then the whole of the city behind them.

10. Russian Market

where to shop in moscow | russian market

If you love to visit markets wherever you go, Moscow has one of the most impressive ones in the world – the Izmailovsky. You can easily take the metro here and feel like you’ve been transported to another time.

This place was first built in the 16th century and retains the look of an old fairytale, with a lineup of colorful old castle. A lovely local experience beyond the confines of the bustling metropolis, where you can also try some delicious Russian barbecue.

Here, you’ll find beautiful souvenirs at great prices.

Off The Beaten Track Moscow

unique moscow things to do | graffiti

Once you’ve covered the most touristic spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer – and the places below will also be full of locals! Moscow is a city for hipsters, full of trendy and arty spots where you can literally feel the creativity oozing! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend my sweat spots below!

11. Patriarshiye Prudy

moscow unique things to do | patriarshy prudy

This is my favorite area in the entire city! While Moscow is generally a very noisy metropolis, Patriarch Ponds is far quieter, yet such a vibrant place. This is a very hip and trendy area making you think you are rather in Paris than in Moscow. Here the streets are narrow and full of chic eateries and clubs to see the local crowd.

A little bohemian and with an air of peace you won’t find anywhere in the city this is a great spot to spend an afternoon with your thoughts.

12. ArtPlay

museums in moscow | artplay

Barely 15 minutes away from the city center you’ll find the artsiest Moscow district: ArtPlay. For decades, this block was a factory, but it was renovated to become a hub for the arts not too long ago.

Now, you’ll find it’s full of exhibitions, showrooms and art schools – and some of the most creative people in town. Writers, painters, and young hip people use ArtPlay as a rendezvous, and you can feel the creative energy here. The industrial design with modern interior decoration is also a feast for the eyes!

13. Shopping Local Designs

moscow sightseeing | shopping district

If you’re into design, both international and local, you’ll find lots of cute things at Patriarshiye Prudy. Department store Podium Market is also a great spot for shopping, as a department store everywhere in town, with lots of local and international brands. There’s one in the Four Seasons Hotel next to Red Square. My favorite Moscow mall is Tsvetnoy Central Market, a cool spot with great brands, lots of inspo, and even a cute café!

14. Moscow City

modern skyscrapers of moscow

Like many other great capitals of the world, for the past few decades, Moscow has hosted a super modern area full of modern skyscrapers – Moscow City. With a completely different vibe than the rest of town, it’s like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressively tall glass buildings. Here, you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, such as Ruski and Sixty they are perfect spots for dining or enjoying a glass of wine with a view. There are also a relatively new shopping mall with lots of international brands called Affimall!

Wine, Dine, and Party in Moscow

view of moscow from ruski

Gone are the gloomy Moscow days – cold as it might be in the winter, Russia’s capital is a place for the senses. Great food and drinks abound – and the clubs are hot, too!

15. Where to Eat in Moscow

where to eat in moscow

Moscow is a great metropolis where people love to dine out, and there are endless options for delicious food. The flavors are as diverse as you’d expect from a big city, with options of fine dining and little hipster eateries. 

  • For traditional Russian flavors, I can’t recommend Café Pushkin, Dr. Zhivago, and Turnadot enough.
  • When looking for international cuisines, Italian is always the way to go, and my local favorite is Probka.
  • Fine dining is best done among the clouds at White Rabbit, with European flavors.
  • As for the hip spots, you can spend a full day just eating around trendy places, from burgers to Asian fusion.

More Dining Options

white rabbit moscow russia

  • Patriarshiye Prudy offers a lot of small and classy spots with cool concepts, like breakfast restaurants I Love Cake and Fresh.
  • For dinner, I love the NYC experience of Saxon & Parole, and the wonderful trendy Pins, with its delicious food and drinks.
  • For delicious Asian food head to CutFish. 
  • Lastly, there’s a recent revival of food markets in Moscow, offering lots of great choices of international flavors at affordable places.
  • Don’t miss out the Vietnamese food stand at the Danilovsky market, and everything at Usachevsky!

16. Rooftopping

things to do in moscow russia | city scape

Big cities deserve to be seen from above, having a cocktail among the clouds. These are my recommendations for rooftop bars in Moscow.

  • As I mentioned in the Moscow City section, Sixty & Ruski are two of my favorites, overlooking the newest part of town. 
  • White Rabbit and its fine dining is also a lovely place for a fun dinner looking down on Moscow.
  • O2, in the city center, has an advantage above all others: amazing views of the Red Square.
  • Buono, above the Radisson Royal Hotel, might be the most romantic rooftop hotel in town, with its candlelit setting.
  • Also on the Radisson stands the Mercedes. It’s a luxurious and posh experience with delicious cocktails.
  • The Sky Lounge offers a peculiar experience, mixing an old Soviet building with futuristic additions.

17. Moscow by Night

must do in moscow  | moskva river

Party the night away! The city is full of bars everywhere, but there are some areas where you’ll find more than others.

  • Patriarshiye Prudy has lots of hip and small clubs and great bars, including the super fun private club Clava, which has a great vibe and people from all walks of life.
  • For more hipster style bars, Red October is the place to go.
  • Streak is a summer favorite, with a lovely terrace to catch a beautiful sunset – plus, their mozzarella bar is delicious.
  • At night, Red October lights up with clubs everywhere, including the cool rooftop one Gipsy.
  • Jagger is also a great spot during summer with a more relaxed vibe in garden setting. 
  • For the traditional Russian luxury experience, go to SohoRooms, a whole other world including all-night go-go dancers.

There are so many things to do in Moscow at night and during the day, you definitely need several days to explore this exciting destination.

Moscow is a must-see city, a city like no other ! I hope you will enjoy this Russian metropolis as much as I did!

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things to do in moscow

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About Linda Voltaire

Linda Voltaire is the owner of Travel with a Silver Lining, home to reviews of gorgeous boutique & design hotels, hip & trendy eateries as well as authentic and personal travel experiences beyond the crowd. She started blogging after a life-changing trip across South America. Follow Linda at TravelWithASilverLining / Facebook / Instagram /

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10 thoughts on “17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow”

These places look so awesome! Moscow is truly a beautiful city

Very good article, you have explained so nicely. Russia has always been a part of history and its good to know about much more about architecture and other things, wish i could see the inside of façade

Thanks for sharing such a nice article.You have very beautifully explained everything that one need for a trip to Moscow.

Nice article. Love the hidden gems and graffiti art, would love to visit Artplay. Thanks for a comprehensive guide to Moscow!

Moscow is a city where the past and the future live side by side. Here we can find everything from medieval fortresses and Soviet monoliths to glass skyscrapers and innovation centers.

Your article is good and meaningful .

Thanks for sharing about ArtPlay district, we didn’t know about it and it looks amazing 🙂 Hopefully there’ll be a second time in Moscow, we visited last May and really liked the city!

Wonderful stuff! I’ve been to Moscow, but not properly – it’s a long story lol!

Anyhoo, my next thing is to fly from Berlin to Moscow and then travel from there to Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian / Trans-Siberian train. Now, if only I could just find the time …!

I hear Moscow is very beautiful at night. I hope to get out there one day. A friend of mine went to St. Petersburg and had a great experience. Despite all the tension we see on the news with Russia and other Countries like the U.S. I wonder what the sentiment is with Russians and foreigners visiting their country for tourism. Especially Americans.

that looks like quite a beautiful place. 🙂

Watch CBS News

U.S. drops from top 20 happiest countries list in 2024 World Happiness Report

By Sara Moniuszko

Edited By Paula Cohen

Updated on: March 20, 2024 / 10:10 AM EDT / CBS News

Unhappy news for Americans: The United States is no longer among the 20 happiest countries in the world, according to new data from Gallup and its partners.

In the newly released  2024 World Happiness Report , the U.S. dropped out of the top 20 on the list for the first time in the report's 12-year history. The U.S. now ranks at No. 23, compared to No. 15  last year . 

The researchers say this is driven in part by a decline in how Americans under 30 feel about their lives. 

"In the US, happiness or subjective wellbeing has decreased in all age groups, but especially for young adults," Gallup managing director Ilana Ron Levey told CBS News in an emailed statement, adding that social connections are one key factor contributing to these generational disparities in happiness.

"The World Happiness Report and the Gallup/Meta social connectedness data show peak loneliness for younger Americans. It's widely recognized that social support and feelings of loneliness are influential factors in determining overall happiness, and these dynamics differ across various age groups," she said. "The quality of interpersonal relationships may impact the wellbeing of younger and older individuals in distinct ways."

Finland ranked No. 1 on the overall list of the world's happiest countries for the seventh year in a row. The top 10 in the latest report are:

  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland

But looking more closely by age, Lithuania tops the list for people under 30, while Denmark is the world's happiest nation for those 60 and older.

"The differences in the rankings by age illustrate how people's life satisfaction ratings — which determine the rankings — vary a lot between the world's young and old." the researchers said in a news release. "In places like the U.S. and Canada, for example, rankings for those 60 and older are at least 50 places higher than for those under 30. However, in many countries, particularly those in Central and Eastern Europe, the reverse is true: The young are happier than the old."

At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan retains its spot as last in the overall ranking of happiness. 

The research team uses responses from people in more than 140 nations to rank the world's "happiest" countries, based on people's assessments of their overall satisfaction with their lives. Then to help understand the differences seen between countries, they look at six factors: the nation's healthy life expectancy, economy (GDP per capita), levels of corruption, social support, generosity and freedom.

Gallup CEO Jon Clifton said the data from the report "offers more than just national rankings; it provides analytics and advice for evidence-based planning and policymaking."

The latest findings suggest happiness has declined among 15- to 24-year-olds in North America, Western Europe, the Middle East/North Africa and South Asia since 2019, the researchers say.

"Piecing together the available data on the wellbeing of children and adolescents around the world, we documented disconcerting drops especially in North America and Western Europe. To think that, in some parts of the world, children are already experiencing the equivalent of a mid-life crisis demands immediate policy action," said Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre and an editor of the World Happiness Report. 

A  CBS News poll in December found 21% of Americans described themselves as "very happy" and another 55% as "fairly happy." Those who said things were going well with their family lives were far more likely to report general happiness, as were people who said they have enough money to live comfortably,

The World Happiness Report — a partnership of Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR's Editorial Board — was released to coincide with the International Day of Happiness, established by the United Nations, which is celebrated on March 20.

Sara Moniuszko is a health and lifestyle reporter at CBSNews.com. Previously, she wrote for USA Today, where she was selected to help launch the newspaper's wellness vertical. She now covers breaking and trending news for CBS News' HealthWatch.

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Person in gray suit holds small US flag

US falls out of world’s top 20 happiest countries list for the first time ever

World Happiness Report reveals country dropped from 15th to 23rd place, driven in part by a decline in happiness among young people

The US has fallen out of the top 20 happiest countries to live in for the first time ever, according to a new report.

In findings released on Wednesday, the World Happiness Report revealed that the US has slid from its 15th place last year to 23rd place this year.

The report, created via a partnership involving Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the World Happiness Report’s editorial board, pointed to happiness decreasing in all age groups for the US. It also found a significant decline among young people, who are now the least happy age group.

“This is a big change from 2006-10, when the young were happier than those in the midlife groups, and about as happy as those aged 60 and over. For the young, the happiness drop was about three-quarters of a point, and greater for females than males,” the report said.

Among people below the age of 30 from 2021 to 2023, the US ranks 62nd in happiness. Meanwhile, among those who are 60 and above, the US ranks 10th.

“In comparing generations, those born before 1965 are, on average, happier than those born since 1980. Among millennials, evaluation of one’s own life drops with each year of age, while among boomers life satisfaction increases with age,” according to a summary of the report.

Finland, for the seventh straight year, has been ranked the world’s happiest country. It is followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Israel. The least happy country is Afghanistan, the report said, followed by Lebanon, Lesotho, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The report’s rankings are not based on any index of factors including GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption. Instead, the scores are based on individuals’ own assessments of their lives, according to researchers.

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Finland is the happiest country in the world for the seventh year in a row

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For the seventh year in a row, Finland has landed the top spot on the World Happiness Report's annual ranking of the happiest countries in the world .

Countries are ranked according to self-assessed life evaluations and answers to the Cantril ladder question which asks respondents to think of a ladder with the best possible life for them being a 10 and the worst being a zero and then rate their current lives on that scale.

The Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, which publishes the report, says that in addition to using the Cantril ladder question, the report also considers the following six variables in the more than 130 countries ranked in the report:

  • GDP per capita
  • Social Support
  • Healthy life expectancy
  • Freedom of corruption

While this year the top ten countries on the list remain mostly unchanged, the top 20 saw a bit more action. Costa Rica and Kuwait jumped to 12th and 13th place, respectively while the United States and Germany fell off the top 20 completely. The U.S. dropped from No. 15 to No. 23 this year.

Of the top ten happiest countries , only the Netherlands and Australia have populations over 15 million, and of the top 20, only Canada and the U.K. have populations over 30 million.

No. 1 happiest country in the world: Finland

Finland took the No. 1 spot on the list with a score of 7.741. According to Frank Martela , a Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher, Finnish people are happy because they have a strong sense of community and relatedness, do good deeds for other people, and find a clear purpose for themselves.

"It would be more accurate to say that Finland is the country that has the least unhappy people in the world," Martela tells CNBC Make It.

Finland outperforms the average country in education, work-life balance, environment quality, social connections, safety and life satisfaction, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development   (OECD) Better Life Index .

Life expectancy at birth in Finland is around 82 years, 85 for women and 79 for men.

The Finnish people's strong sense of community is further proven by the OECD Better Life Index, which states that 96% of people believe they know someone they can rely on in their time of need.

Top 10 happiest countries in the world

  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland

Denmark ranked No. 2 on the list with a score of 7.583.

The country's high ranking is due in part to its level of equality and sense of responsibility for social welfare, according to  the country's official website . These are two things that are closely linked to happiness, according to the World Happiness Report.

While some might point out that people in Denmark pay some of the world's highest taxes — up to half of their income — it is balanced out by the fact that most healthcare in the country is free, childcare is subsidized, university students pay no tuition and receive grants to help cover expenses while studying. The elderly receive pensions and are provided with care helpers.

According to the OECD Better Life Index, the Nordic country outperforms the average in jobs, education, health, environmental quality, social connections, civic engagement and life satisfaction. Denmark is a founding member of the OECD and NATO .

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Why Finland and Denmark are the happiest countries in the world

IMAGES

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COMMENTS

  1. International tourism: the most popular countries

    The analysis presented here is based on 2021 data from the World Tourism Organization and lists the most popular 60 countries. Both the number of tourists and the revenue apply to international travel, i.e., they do not include domestic travelers. A tourist in this context is any guest who spent at least one night in the country.

  2. World Tourism rankings

    The World Tourism rankings are compiled by the United Nations World Tourism Organization as part of their World Tourism Barometer publication, ... List of countries by international inbound tourists This page was last edited on 8 March 2024, at 14:25 (UTC). Text is available under the Creative Commons ...

  3. World Tourism Rankings by Country 2024

    According to the World Tourism Organization's yearly highlights report, there was a growth of 7% in international tourist arrivals in the last 10 years. Europe makes up 51% of the 1,326 million figure, followed by Asia and the Pacific at 24%. Economic gain through tourism peaked at US$ 1,340 billion, divided up between Europe, Asia and the ...

  4. Most Visited Countries 2024

    Czech Republic. 37.2M. Spain. 36.4M. Canada. 32.4M. Hungary. 31.6M. The most popular tourist destination in the world for more than 30 years, France offers a myriad of attractions: the Eiffel tower, countless world-class restaurants, the Musée du Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, and ...

  5. Tourism Statistics

    Tourism Statistics. Get the latest and most up-to-date tourism statistics for all the countries and regions around the world. Data on inbound, domestic and outbound tourism is available, as well as on tourism industries, employment and complementary indicators. All statistical tables available are displayed and can be accessed individually ...

  6. Countries ranked by International tourism, number of arrivals

    An increasing number of countries have opened up and invested in tourism development, making tourism a key driver of socio-economic progress through export revenues, the creation of jobs and enterprises, and infrastructure development. As an internationally traded service, inbound tourism has become one of the world's major trade categories.

  7. World Tourism Rankings by Country: Top 20 Countries

    To compile our global tourism ranking by country, we used data from the 2020 version of the United Nations' World Tourism Barometer report. While it lists out international tourism receipts for ...

  8. The UN Tourism Data Dashboard

    International Tourism and COVID-19. The pandemic generated a loss of 2.6 billion international arrivals in 2020, 2021 and 2022 combined; Export revenues from international tourism dropped 62% in 2020 and 59% in 2021, versus 2019 (real terms) and then rebounded in 2022, remaining 34% below pre-pandemic levels.

  9. Tourism Statistics Database

    UN Tourism systematically collects tourism statistics from countries and territories around the world in an extensive database that provides the most comprehensive repository of statistical information available on the tourism sector. This database consists mainly of more than 145 tourism indicators that are updated regularly. You can explore the data available through the UNWTO database below:

  10. Statistics of tourism

    The UNWTO Statistics Department is committed to developing tourism measurement for furthering knowledge of the sector, monitoring progress, evaluating impact, promoting results-focused management, and highlighting strategic issues for policy objectives.. The department works towards advancing the methodological frameworks for measuring tourism and expanding its analytical potential, designs ...

  11. Map: The World's Top Countries for Tourism

    Turkey. 37.6 million. $22.5B. #15. Mexico. 39.3 million. $21.3B. Data based on international tourism; doesn't include intercountry tourism (i.e. family trip from Seattle to Hawaii) Coming into the top spot is the United States with $210.7 billion spent by 74.7 million tourists, or roughly $2,819 per person in 2017.

  12. International tourist arrivals by country 2022

    Overall, France was the most visited country by inbound travelers worldwide in 2022, with roughly 79.4 million international tourist arrivals. Spain, the United States, and Turkey followed in the ...

  13. World Tourism Barometer: November 2022

    International tourism showed robust performance in January-September 2022, with arrivals reaching 63% of pre-pandemic levels in the first nine months of 2022. The results were driven by strong pent-up demand, lifting of travel restrictions of more destinations, as well as improvement of confidence levels. Read more of the recent world tourism ...

  14. Most-Visited Countries in the World

    According to rankings by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Europe boasts 12 of the 20 most-visited countries. But Asia and the Pacific, with five countries on the list, is the fastest-growing region (expect to see these countries climb the rankings in the future). Read on to find out which nations made the cut.

  15. Countries With the Most International Tourists

    The United Nations compiles several metrics related to inbound tourism by country, including international tourist arrivals, with the most recent data being from 2021. The statistics show that ...

  16. List of cities by international visitors

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  17. Unveiling The Global Tourism Leaders: Top 10 Countries In World Tourism

    Paris is even home to one of the most exciting outdoor experiences for 2023, according to a study by TripAdvisor. Things to Do in France: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Paris, Palace of Versailles, Guided Tours, Luxembourg Gardens. International Tourism Receipts: $63.8 billion.

  18. List of Countries by Tourism Income

    United States of America has the highest total tourism income with over 210 billion $ yearly. This huge figure however is only 1.1% of the country's total GDP. Spain has the second largest tourism income in the World with almost 68 billion $ yearly, making up tourism 5.2% of the total economy. Another Mediterranean country, France, is the third ...

  19. Top 100 International Tourist Destination Cities By Country

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    In 2012, the United Nations declared March 20 as the International Day of Happiness. Twelve years later, the 2024 World Happiness Report, which just released its latest rankings of the world's ...

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    2. Catch a Performance at the Bolshoi Theatre Bolshoi Theatre. The Bolshoi Theater is home to the largest and one of the oldest ballet and opera companies in the world.While the theater has undergone several major renovations over the past century-including a recent one in 2011 to restore some of the imperial architectural details-it still retains all of its Neoclassical grandeur.

  26. 15 Most Visited Countries in Europe

    To make our list of the most visited countries in Europe, we have used data from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The UNWTO collects, analyses, and publishes statistics on tourism.

  27. 17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

    Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is more than worth it, with the nearby fountains and park and then the whole of the city behind them. 10. Russian Market. If you love to visit markets wherever you go, Moscow has one of the most impressive ones in the world - the Izmailovsky.

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