We profile some traditional suspects plus one or two surprises within the high 12 most visited nations on the earth
Have you ever dreamed of a romantic kiss atop the Eiffel Tower? Maybe you’ve thrown a want into the Trevi Fountain or stopped and stared on the Sistine Chapel. In that case, you’re definitely not alone.
In response to the newest tourism information from the United Nations World Tourism Group (UNWTO), an estimated 1.1 billion worldwide vacationer arrivals (in a single day guests) had been recorded from January to September 2024 – roughly 11% greater than in the identical interval of 2023.
The info is crunched into the UN Tourism Tracker to disclose the world’s most visited nations of the 12 months. These locations are the preferred for good motive; they typically supply every little thing from seashore holidays and winter solar to enthralling historical past and vibrant tradition.
With choices for each quick getaways and longer journeys, Loveholidays is presently operating a sale on a number of of those locations for UK holidaymakers. The location encompasses a user-friendly and versatile platform for reserving and evaluating a variety of lodging, flights and vacation packages.
12 most visited nations on the earth
The under figures come from the 2024 version of the UNWTO’s World Tourism Barometer report. Right here’s the whole listing of the 12 most visited nations on the earth.
1. France
Arrivals: 100 million
It’s truthful to say that there was a long-standing rivalry between the French and the British, partly as a result of we Brits assume we’re higher than them (deep down, we all know we’re not).
In each joie de vivre and savoire faire, in tradition, couture and delicacies, our Gallic cousins outclass us constantly – and why wouldn’t they? Their impeccable style coupled with a pure hauteur lends them an inimitable sophistication. It’s this je ne se quois maybe that retains vacationers coming to this land of romance – a whopping 100 million of them a 12 months.
2. Spain
Arrivals: 85.2 million
Good meals, good wine, superb structure and the ebullient nature of the natives are simply a few of the the explanation why individuals flock to Spain (and subsequently get exhausted by the Spaniards… did we point out they’re ebullient?).
Spain is a well-liked vacation spot not just for all of the above but additionally as a spot of worship. Camino de Santiago, a community of paths resulting in the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Nice within the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, is widespread not solely with pilgrims but additionally with hikers, cyclists and organised tour teams.
3. USA
Arrivals: 66.5 million
Regardless of the bottom improve in vacationer arrivals 12 months on 12 months, the US holds robust because the third most visited nation on the earth. It has extra well-known cities than arguably another nation on the earth – New York, LA, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago being simply a few of them.
There’s lots for tradition vultures (New Orleans, Austin, Boston) and nature lovers too: Yosemite, Grand Prismatic Spring and Grand Canyon are only a few of the numerous nationwide parks filled with bizarre issues.
4. Italy
Arrivals: 57.2 million
Ah, Rome, the place the place legends are born, legacies shorn and gelato grants entry to heaven.
And that’s only the start. There’s charming Verona, iconic Venice and the heart-stoppingly gorgeous Dolomites. If it’s important to be unoriginal, be unoriginal in Italy.
5. Türkiye
Arrivals: 55.2 million
Curiously, Türkiye has had the largest year-on-year improve on the listing: 11.9% to be particular. This may be an indication that its fortunes are persevering with to enhance.
Throughout our go to again in 2016, we had been informed of slowing commerce brought on by native battle. At present, Türkiye is sort of solely trouble-free and the hope is that it continues to remain secure and open. When you’re contemplating a vacation to the Anatolian Peninsula, it’s value double-checking the issues it is advisable go to Türkiye.
6. Mexico
Arrivals: 42.2 million
In previous years, Mexico has jostled with Thailand and Russia for a spot on the listing of the world’s most visited nations. This 12 months, it sits comfortably mid-list with over 42 million vacationer arrivals.
House to Frida Kahlo, the dazzling Day of the Lifeless celebrations and a Surprise of the World within the type of Chichen Itza, Mexico is simply set to develop in recognition.
7. United Kingdom
Arrivals: 37.2 million
And so we come to our homeland of Britain, a inexperienced and nice land filled with sedate sights like Stonehenge set to a backdrop of gloomy skies and seemingly countless drizzle. Nonetheless, there’s lots right here to attract vacationers.
World-class museums, dramatic forts and castles, charming countryside villages and a cheese-rolling competitors have all helped the UK sneak into the highest 10 most visited nations on the earth.
8. China
Arrivals: 35.3 million
Kia lately visited China, a behemoth on the world stage in measurement, inhabitants and financial power. Nonetheless, the nation has nonetheless not bounced again to pre-pandemic numbers although it has resumed issuing all varieties of visas, together with vacationer visas, and has reinstated visa-free insurance policies.


The world’s oldest steady civilisation gives gleaming monuments to progress countered by wealthy threads of antiquity. Mist-shrouded mountains, sleepy water cities, archaeological wonders and world-class delicacies are only a few of the myriad the explanation why over 60 million vacationers flock to this nation every year.
9. Germany
Arrivals: 34.8 million
Germany was named by Lonely Planet as among the finest nations to go to in 2019, through the one hundredth anniversary of Bauhaus, a college of design that also at the moment influences artwork, structure, graphic design, inside design, industrial design and typography.
Past Bauhaus, there may be lots to do and see. The Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall are simply a few of the world-famous sights within the capital metropolis. Additional afield, the gorgeous Black Forest and its assortment of fairytale castles are a significant draw for worldwide vacationers.
10. Greece
Arrivals: 32.7million
Greece stays a dream vacation spot for a lot of travellers, providing an ideal mix of pure magnificence, wealthy historical past and vibrant tradition that attraction to European holidaymakers on the lookout for solar, sea and cocktails in addition to guests from additional afield eager to immerse themselves in Greece’s historical historical past.


Its iconic islands, equivalent to Santorini, Mykonos and Crete, boast gorgeous seashores with crystal-clear waters, rugged landscapes and picturesque white-washed villages. Whether or not you’re exploring historical ruins just like the Acropolis in Athens or wandering by slim cobblestone streets, Greece by no means fails to attraction its tens of millions of annual guests.
11. Austria
Arrivals: 30.9 million
From the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the serene great thing about its glacial lakes, Austria gives breathtaking landscapes for outside lovers. Whether or not it’s mountain climbing in summer season or snowboarding in winter, the nation’s various terrain caters to all varieties of adventurers.
Austria’s charming small cities – equivalent to Hallstatt and Innsbruck – are steeped in historical past, with picturesque structure and a relaxed tempo of life that guests love.


For these searching for extra cosmopolitan experiences, Vienna, Geneva and Salzburg boast world-class museums, classical music performances and opulent palaces, offering a deep dive into Europe’s historical past and inventive legacy.
12. Thailand
Arrivals: 28.2 million
Adore it or hate it, Thailand repeatedly seems on the listing of the world’s most visited nations. A mainstay of the backpacker route by southeast Asia, Thailand advantages from robust vacationer infrastructure, lashes of pure magnificence and naturally beautiful delicacies.


The enduring Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi – made well-known by the 2000 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio – has skilled a sustained explosion in tourism. In 2018, it was introduced that the seashore can be closed indefinitely to permit it to recuperate from vacationer injury, a cautionary story maybe for the nations hoping to sooner or later be a part of this listing.
When you’re visiting Thailand, we suggest utilizing SiamTickets to rearrange your travels across the nation.
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