The 10 most visited countries in the world

The 10 most visited countries in the world

We profile some usual suspects plus a surprise or two in the top 10 most visited countries in the world

Have you ever dreamed of a romantic kiss on the Eiffel Tower? Maybe you've cast a wish into the Trevi Fountain or stopped and stared at the Sistine Chapel. If so, you are certainly not alone.

According to the latest available pre-pandemic figures, France and Italy are two of the most visited countries in the world. Together with the rest of the top 10, they account for a whopping 41% of global tourist arrivals (i.e. overnight guests). Here is the complete list of the most visited countries in the world.

The 10 most visited countries in the world

The following figures are from the 2020 edition of the UNWTO's International Tourism Highlights Report.

1. France

Arrivals: 89.4 million (2018) Change: 2.9% (compared to previous year)

Dennis van de Water/ShutterstockFrance is the most visited country in the world

It's fair to say that there has long been a rivalry between the French and the British, partly because we Brits think we are better than them (deep down we know we are not).

In joie de vivre and savoire faire, in culture, couture and cuisine, our Gallic cousins ​​continually surpass us - and why not? Their impeccable taste, coupled with natural skin color, gives them an inimitable sophistication. It is perhaps this je ne se quois that attracts tourists to this land of romance - a whopping 89.4 million of them every year.

2. Spain

Arrivals: 83.5 million (2019) Change: 0.8%

Maps/ShutterstockGaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Good food, good wine, amazing architecture and the exuberant nature of the native people are just a few of the reasons why people flock to Spain (and are subsequently exhausted by the Spanish...did we mention they are exuberant?).

Spain is a popular destination not only for all of this, but also as a place of worship. The Camino de Santiago, a network of paths leading to the shrine of the Apostle James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, is popular not only with pilgrims, but also with hikers, cyclists and organized tour groups.

3. USA

Arrivals: 79.3 million (2019) Change: -0.6%

Stefano Garau/ShutterstockStatue of Liberty in New York, USA

Despite the smallest year-over-year increase in tourist arrivals, the US remains the third most visited country in the world. It has more famous cities than probably any other country in the world - New York, LA, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago are just a few. Culture lovers (New Orleans, Austin, Boston) and nature lovers will also get their money's worth: Yosemite, Grand Prismatic Spring and Grand Canyon are just a few of the many national parks full of strange and wonderful things.

4. China

Arrivals: 65.7 million (2019) Change: 4.5%

Sofiaworld/ShutterstockChina is one of the most visited countries in the world

China is a giant on the world stage in terms of size, population and economic power. The world's oldest continuous civilization offers shining monuments to progress offset by rich threads of antiquity. Mist-shrouded mountains, sleepy water towns, archaeological wonders and world-class cuisine are just a few of the countless reasons why over 60 million tourists flock to this country every year.

5. Italy

Arrivals: 64.5 million (2019) Change: 4.8%

Emperorcosar/ShutterstockThe Colosseum in Italy is one of the seven wonders of the world

Ah, Rome, the place where legends are born, legacies are sheared and ice grants entry to heaven. And that's just the beginning. There is enchanting Verona, iconic Venice and the breathtaking Dolomites. If you have to be unoriginal, be unoriginal in Italy.

6. Türkiye

Arrivals: 51.2 million (2019) Change: 11.9%

Samet Guler/ShutterstockThe Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Türkiye

It's interesting that Turkey had the largest annual increase on the list: 11.9% to be exact. This could be a sign that his fortunes are continuing to improve. When we visited in 2016, we were told of a slowdown in trade due to local conflicts. In fact, a day and a half after we left, there was a bombing in the glorious city of Istanbul.

Currently, Turkey is almost completely trouble-free and the hope is that it will continue to remain safe and open. If you're considering a vacation to the Anatolian Peninsula, it's worth double-checking the things you need when visiting Turkey.

7. Mexico

Arrivals: 45 million (2019) Change: 9.0%

Exposure/ShutterstockChichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world

In recent years, Mexico has competed with Thailand and Russia for a place on the list of the world's most visited countries. This year it sits comfortably in the middle with over 45 million tourist arrivals. Home to Frida Kahlo, dazzling Day of the Dead celebrations and a wonder of the world in the form of Chichen Itza, Mexico is growing in popularity.

8.Thailand

Arrivals: 39.8 million (2019) Change: 4.3%

Saiko3p/ShutterstockAn idyllic scene in Thailand, one of the most visited countries in the world

Thailand – love it or hate it, it continually appears on the list of most visited countries in the world. As a mainstay of the backpacker route through Southeast Asia, Thailand benefits from strong tourism infrastructure, natural beauty and, of course, exquisite cuisine.

Ko Phi Phi's iconic Maya Bay - made famous by the 2000 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio - has seen an ongoing tourism boom. In 2018, it was announced that the beach would be closed indefinitely to allow it to recover from tourism damage, a warning perhaps to countries hoping to one day join that list.

9. Germany

Arrivals: 39.6 million Change: 1.8%

Noppasin Wongchum/ShutterstockBrandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany

Germany was named one of the best countries to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet because this is the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus, a design school that still influences art, architecture, graphic design, interior design, industrial design and typography today.

There is a lot to do and see beyond the Bauhaus. The Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall are just some of the capital's world-famous sights. A little further afield, the stunning Black Forest and its collection of fairytale castles are a major draw for international tourists.

10. United Kingdom

Arrivals: 39.4 million (2019) Change: 1.9%

S. Borisov/ShutterstockTower Bridge in London, UK

And so we come to our native Britain, a green and pleasant land full of tranquil sights like Stonehenge against a backdrop of gloomy skies and seemingly endless drizzle. Still, there is plenty here to attract tourists. World-class museums, dramatic forts and castles, charming country villages and a cheese-rolling competition have helped Britain sneak into the top 10 most visited countries in the world.

Mission statement: Samet Guler/Shutterstock

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