Tourism is booming again: top travel destinations in focus for 2024!

Tourism is booming again: top travel destinations in focus for 2024!

Global tourism has recovered impressively and is now back to pre-corona pandemic levels. According to the world tourism organization UN Tourism, around 1.47 billion international arrivals were recorded in 2022. This positive development is also reflected in the most popular travel destinations of 2024, where the numbers show a significant increase compared to previous years.

The rankings of the most visited countries provide an interesting insight into the current trends in international tourism. France remains the undisputed number one of the most visited countries with 102 million arrivals, followed by Spain with 93.8 million arrivals. The US ranks third with 72.4 million arrivals, a decrease compared to 2019. The full list of the ten most popular travel destinations illustrates how tourism has developed in recent years.

Top travel destinations 2024

• 1. Frankreich: 102 Millionen Ankünfte (plus 2 % im Vergleich zu 2023)
• 2. Spanien: 93,8 Millionen Ankünfte (plus 10 Millionen im Vergleich zu 2019)
• 3. USA: 72,4 Millionen Ankünfte (2019: 79,4 Millionen)
• 4. Türkei: 60,6 Millionen Ankünfte (plus 9,8 %)
• 5. Italien: 57,7 Millionen Ankünfte (2019: fast 65 Millionen)
• 6. Mexiko: 45 Millionen Ankünfte (plus 7,4 %)
• 7. China: geschätzte Ankünfte, genaue Zahl nicht angegeben
• 8. Vereinigtes Königreich: geschätzte 39 Millionen Ankünfte
• 9. Deutschland: 37,5 Millionen Ankünfte (plus 7,8 %)
• 10. Japan: 36,9 Millionen Ankünfte (plus 47 % im Vergleich zu 2023)

The figures make it clear that tourism plays a central role in economic stability in many countries. In the countries of the Global South, the sector is increasingly developing into an important economic factor, promoting both employment and economic growth. At the same time, however, negative effects are also becoming clear, such as the destruction of flora and fauna due to the continued increase in tourism.

European trends

Europe remains the region with the most international tourist arrivals, accounting for around 50% of global arrivals. Spain was the most popular travel destination in Europe in 2023 with almost 80 million trips, followed by Germany with around 54 million trips. What is particularly striking is that Italy has the most accommodation establishments in Europe, while Germany is also well represented with around 48,300.

Air travel is still the most popular means of transport worldwide. In 2024, around 41 million flights were counted worldwide. It was forecast that air traffic revenue would rise to over $705 billion by 2025. London Heathrow remains the largest airport in Europe by passengers with almost 84 million travelers in 2024, followed by Istanbul and Frankfurt am Main.

In summary, global tourism is on the road to recovery, both in terms of the number of arrivals and the economic stimulus it brings to many countries. This development will continue to be monitored as the sector continues to present both opportunities and challenges.

Further information on developments in tourism can be found at FFH and Statista.