In 2023, the most visited city in the United States by international tourists was ********, attracting just under **** million visitors. ********************* followed in the ranking, with roughly *** million and *** million international visitors, respectively.
The number of international tourist arrivals to the selected European destinations increased significantly in 2023 over the previous year, experiencing strong signs of recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in some cases even surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Overall, Paris and the Île-de-France region recorded the highest figure among the selected destinations in 2023, with around **** million inbound tourist arrivals. London and Istanbul followed in the ranking that year, with roughly **** million and **** million arrivals, respectively. What are the most visited countries by international tourists? Both before and after the health crisis, France was the country with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide. In 2023, inbound arrivals to France reached *** million, the highest figure reported by the country to date. Meanwhile, the United States, which ranked third by inbound arrivals that year, was the country with the highest international tourism receipts worldwide. Has inbound tourism recovered from the impact of COVID-19? While the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide grew sharply in 2023 compared to the previous year, it remained approximately ** percent lower than in 2019. Overall, the total contribution of travel and tourism to the global GDP was **** percent below pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
Madrid was the most visited city destination in Spain in 2023, having welcomed nearly ** million overnight visitors. The Catalonian capital followed second in the ranking that year, with roughly *** million tourists spending at least one night in the destination. How did Madrid rank in tourist visits and accommodation? In 2022, Madrid attracted over 4.5 million domestic and 4.6 million international tourists for stays exceeding one day, despite experiencing a more than 10 percent decrease compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, the Spanish capital has consistently ranked among the top ten European cities with the highest number of nights spent by tourists in paid accommodation, securing the 8th position that year. Which regions attracted the most international tourists? Spain's international tourism rebounded strongly from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, surpassing 100 million visitors in 2022. Catalonia led as the most visited region, attracting over **** million international tourists. The United Kingdom played a pivotal role as the primary source of international tourists, contributing over ** million travelers, followed by France with around ** million visitors.
London was by far the most visited city by international tourists in the United Kingdom in 2023. That year, inbound visits to the UK's capital totaled just over 20 million, staying roughly seven percent lower than in 2019, prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Edinburgh and Manchester followed in the ranking, reporting around 2.3 million and 1.7 million visits, respectively. Overall, the number of inbound visits to the UK reached 38 million in 2023 but remained below pre-pandemic levels. What is the leading tourist attraction in London? Tourists visit London for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is its attractions. In 2023, the British Museum was London’s most visited tourist attraction, drawing in approximately 5.8 million visitors. The Natural History Museum in South Kensington and the Tate Modern came next in the ranking, with about 5.7 and 4.7 million visitors, respectively. While attendance at many of London’s top tourist attractions saw a significant increase in 2023 compared to the previous year, attendance generally remained below pre-pandemic levels. What is the leading region for summer staycations in the UK? A 'staycation' typically refers to a holiday spent in one's home country rather than abroad. It can also refer to a holiday spent at home involving day trips to local attractions. The leading region for summer staycations in the UK, according to an April 2024 survey, was the South West. Meanwhile, 12 percent of respondents said that they intended to visit Scotland during their summer holiday while only three percent stated that they would like to visit Northern Ireland. London came second in the ranking.
The number of international tourist arrivals worldwide rose sharply in 2023 compared to the previous year across all the most visited destinations in the world. Overall, France was the most visited country by inbound travelers worldwide in 2023, with *** million international tourist arrivals. Spain, the United States, and Italy followed in the ranking that year. Has global inbound tourism recovered from the impact of COVID-19? In 2023, the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide totaled approximately *** billion. While this figure represented a ** percent annual increase, it remained below the peak in inbound tourist arrivals reported in 2019, the year before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, international tourism receipts worldwide exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2023, peaking at *** trillion U.S. dollars. What are the most popular global regions for inbound tourism? When breaking down the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide by region, Europe has consistently reported the highest volume of inbound travelers, both before and after the impact of the health crisis. In 2023, this region alone accounted for roughly ** percent of global inbound tourist arrivals. Meanwhile, Asia and the Pacific recorded the second-highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide in 2023.
In 2023, the number of overseas resident visits to the United Kingdom totaled 38 million, representing a growth of over 20 percent from the previous year. The figure was projected to reach 38.7 million in 2024. Has the UK’s tourism industry completely recovered from the coronavirus pandemic? Like in most countries, the travel restrictions put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus wreaked havoc on the UK’s tourism industry. Overseas visitor numbers dropped to 7.1 million in 2021, representing a drop of over 80 percent from 2019. While the figure reported for 2023 showed a continued recovery in terms of overseas visitors to the UK, it remained below pre-pandemic levels. However, in terms of spending among the UK’s leading inbound travel markets, most overseas visitors spent more in 2023 than in 2019, with visitors from the UK’s leading inbound travel market, the United States, spending around 50 percent more during their travels than in 2019. What are the most visited cities in the UK? Unsurprisingly, London consistently ranked as the most visited town or city in the UK among international tourists in recent years, drawing in 20.27 million visitors in 2023. This was around tenfold the number of the second-most visited city, Edinburgh, which received 2.32 million visitors during the same year. As the UK’s capital city, London’s tourist attractions are as varied as the city itself; however, one particularly strong draw for inbound visitors is Royal Family-related tourism. This is evident with the top two most visited paid tourist attractions in England being based in London and either belonging to the Royal Family or being run by a Royal-affiliated charity. Meanwhile, among UK residents, London ranks as the second most popular destination for a summer staycation, with the South West ranking first.
In 2022, Makkah welcomed **** million inbound tourists, making the city the primary destination for inbound tourists arriving in Saudi Arabia. In comparison, Riyadh welcomed *** million inbound tourists, making it the second most visited city in the country that year. Tourist arrivals were calculated based on the primary destination, and not secondary cities visited throughout the trip, which would otherwise make Al-Madinah the second most popular tourist destination.
The number of international arrivals in tourist accommodation establishments in Rome, Italy, rose significantly in 2023 over the previous year, but remained below pre-pandemic levels. Overall, inbound tourist arrivals in the city reached around 6.9 million in 2023. Which nationalities visit Rome the most? In 2023, the United States was by far the leading inbound travel market in Rome based on tourist arrivals, with over 1.7 million arrivals of U.S. travelers to the city’s accommodation services. In the same year, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France followed in the ranking. How many people visit the Colosseum every year? The Colosseum archaeological park, one of Rome’s most famous landmarks, ranked as the most visited cultural attraction in Italy in 2023, with over 12 million visits. That year, the iconic site also topped the list of Italian museums and archaeological areas with the highest income, ranking ahead of Pompeii and the Uffizi Galleries.
Three Mexican cities were among the ten world's best-rated destinations in 2023, according to a survey conducted among Travel + Leisure readers. In 2023, Oaxaca ranked first with a score of 93.53. Udaipur in India followed closely behind with a score of 93.33, while Kyoto in Japan placed third on the list.
Rome was the Italian municipality recording the highest number of overnight stays in travel accommodation establishments in 2023. That year, tourist overnight stays in Rome surpassed ** million, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Venice and Milan followed in the ranking in 2023, with around **** million and **** million overnight stays, respectively.
The Tower of London was the most popular paid attraction in London in 2023, welcoming roughly 2.8 million visitors. Attendance at the renowned site grew significantly compared to the previous year, nearly catching up with the figure from 2019. Meanwhile, the Royal Botanical Gardens (Kew Gardens) was the second most visited paid attraction in 2023, with just under two million visitors. What is the most popular free tourist attraction in London? In 2023, the British Museum topped the ranking of the most visited free attractions in London, welcoming nearly six million visitors. While attendance at the British Museum did not fully recover from the impact of COVID-19, the number of visitors to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, which came in second in 2023, exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Overall, nine of the ten most visited tourist attractions in London that year did not charge for admission tickets. How many tourists visit London every year? London plays a key role in supporting the travel and tourism sector in the United Kingdom. Both before and after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was by far the city with the highest inbound tourism spending in the UK. In 2023, the number of international tourist visits to London surpassed 20 million, nearly catching up with the overseas tourist visits recorded in 2019.
Berlin attracted the most tourist arrivals in Germany in 2023, which is perhaps to be expected. But the country has other city destinations with a lot to offer as well. Among them Hamburg in the north with the largest port in Germany and Munich, the capital of Bavaria, in the south. All three cities also have busy airports and railways. The top three Berlin recorded a significant drop in travel accommodation numbers in 2020, the year the COVID-19 pandemic began. Figures began to pick up again later, with *** establishments open in 2024, though this was still less than in previous years. The numbers may also have to do with competition from such accommodation platforms as Airbnb. Hamburg is also catching up after the pandemic in terms of tourism, with noticeably more travel arrivals recorded recently. While 2021 saw around *** million arrivals, there were already roughly *** million in 2023. Meanwhile, the average occupancy rate in Munich travel accommodation was also noticeably higher in 2022 than in previous years, with an almost ** percent total. City tourism As of 2023, around **** million people in Germany preferred city trips as a vacation. Numbers decreased somewhat in recent years. Various factors contribute to making a city attractive for tourists, among them mobility options, the ease of getting around, and spending time outside. In 2022, Germany’s largest cities were evaluated in terms of walking and cycling space availability. Munich scored highest at ** percent, followed by Cologne with ** percent and Hamburg with ** percent. That same year, these cities were also evaluated in terms of traffic safety for pedestrians and cyclists. This time, Hamburg came first at ** percent, and Berlin followed with ** percent.
In 2023, ** percent of international visitors to Singapore visited the Integrated Resorts in Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), making it the most visited paid tourist attraction in Singapore. This was closely followed by the Gardens by the Bay, which was named the eight best attraction globally in 2024 by Tripadvisor. Singapore boasts several world-class attractions which contribute to a robust tourism sector. Singapore: A Unique Tourist Destination Despite being surrounded by popular tourist destinations in Asia, Singapore has successfully marketed itself as a must-visit location. The city-state offers unique visitor attractions such as the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, two cooled conservatories in the Gardens by the Bay, one of the world’s largest aquariums in Sentosa, as well as a vibrant cultural and food scene. This strategy has not only helped in drawing first time tourists but has also ensured repeat visitors. Visitor Profile and Spending Trends In 2023, a majority of the visitors to Singapore were there on holiday. Visitors in that year spent the most on sightseeing, entertainment, and gaming, followed by shopping. The largest feeder markets for visitors to Singapore were from Indonesia, China, and Malaysia.
From 2019 to 2023, Istanbul was the leading destination in Turkey based on the volume of international tourist arrivals each year. Overall, inbound travelers in that city totaled over ** million in 2023, more than tripling compared to 2020, when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic started, reaching above pre-pandemic figures. Antalya was the second leading tourist destination in 2023, with around **** million inbound arrivals. Istanbul does not lose its popularity Istanbul has been an attractive destination with plenty of sights including mosques, churches, museums, palaces, and the Bosphorus Strait, which connects two large continents, Europe, and Asia. This city, which has hosted different civilizations and cultures for centuries, has welcomed millions of foreign and local visitors for years. In 2022, the largest city of Turkey attracted **** million foreign tourists, which was above the pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic level. In line with the high inflation in the country, accommodation prices in Istanbul have generally been increasing. As of October 2023, the average cost for an overnight stay in the city was *** euros. Domestic tourism is falling back Although international tourism in Turkey has been recovering from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and its limitations, domestic tourism has fallen behind. Factors such as high inflation, price increases, and the soaring cost of living in the country have also affected local tourism. In 2023, the number of domestic trips was about ** percent less compared to the peak figures in 2018. In relation to this, the number of overnight stays of domestic travelers has been generally following a negative trend in the last few years. Local tourists recorded roughly *** million nights at accommodations in 2023, still below the pre-pandemic levels.
In 2024, the number of domestic trips undertaken in Japan amounted to approximately ****** million, increasing considerably compared to the previous year. However, the value was still below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Most popular travel destinations The most visited prefectures by Japanese travelers are primarily regions surrounding large metropolises and well-known tourist attractions, with Tokyo prefecture heading the ranking. The capital city is a major destination of business-related travels, being home to large multinational corporations. At the same time, more than **** of Japanese visitors were traveling to Tokyo for the purpose of leisure and sightseeing in 2023. While the city center draws in travelers with its bustling city life, mountainous regions on the outskirts are popular for nature sightseeing and outdoor activities. What do tourists want to do? The leading goals of domestic tourists in Japan were relaxed leisure activities, such as nature and scenery sightseeing or bathing in a hot spring ("onsen"). A tourist hotspot known for its scenic view surrounds the active stratovolcano Mt. Fuji, which is a national symbol of Japan. The highest mountain on the archipelago attracts more than ******* mountaineers to its peak yearly. It is popular among leisure tourists, who want to relax in the famous hot springs of Hakone town at the border of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, was the most popular destination for tourists in 2023. Around 1.1 million domestic and foreign visitors were recorded in tourist accommodation establishments that year. The resort city of Piran was the second most visited destination, with over 591,300 tourist arrivals in the same year.
In 2023, approximately **** million arrivals were recorded in Croatia’s travel accommodation establishments. The capital Zagreb received the largest number of visitors, with over *** million arrivals. Dubrovnik came in second place, having attracted more than *** million tourists in 2022. Tourism in Dubrovnik Dubrovnik has long been a favored tourist destination owing to its historic landmarks and distinctive Old Town. Moreover, following its first appearance in the popular Game of Thrones series in 2011 as the main filming location for King’s Landing, Dubrovnik has attracted even more visitors. The number of overnight tourist arrivals in the town peaked in 2019 at over *** million. However, figures fell considerably over the following years due to the restrictions introduced by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the number of visitors reached only ******* in 2022. Croatia’s offering for nature lovers Besides sunny beaches and historic buildings, Croatian national parks also attract a high number of tourists. In 2023, the Plitvice Lake National Park, known for its waterfalls, recorded **** million visitors. Krka National Park was the second most popular destination for nature enthusiasts, with approximately *** million visitors.
The Capital District of Bogotá welcomed more than *** million international tourists in Colombia in 2023, while Antioquia – with Medellín as capital – received roughly *** thousand foreign visitors arriving in the South American country that year. Bogotá: the main travel hub in Colombia With a population approximating ***** million inhabitants, Bogotá is not only the capital of Colombia but also its most populated city. In addition to that, its geographic location —right in the middle of the country's territory— has also enabled this metropolis to become the most important crossing point for international and domestic travelers. Bogotá’s International Airport is by a wide margin, the main point of entry into the Latin American country, handling more than *** million passengers each month in pre-pandemic times. Cartagena: the most attractive destination of the Colombian Caribbean coast With its Spanish colonial buildings of the walled city, the modern vibe of Boca Grande, and the colorful houses of Getsemaní, Cartagena attracts many international and domestic tourists each year. This Caribbean city is also Colombia's cruise tourism center, with more than *** thousand passenger arrivals per year in pre-pandemic times. Consequently, Bolívar ranks among the departments with the largest number of accommodation establishments in Colombia, with nearly *** thousand in total.
Mexico was the most visited destination by international tourists in Latin America in 2023, surpassing ** million tourist arrivals in that year. In the second place, but far behind, was the Dominican Republic. A global tourism powerhouse By developing airport infrastructure and calibrating new direct flights, Mexico has set international tourism high on its priorities list. At the forefront of Mexico's spike in international tourism is the FONATUR, or Mexico's National Fund for Tourism Development. The tourism body worked in the expansion of Cancun's airport and other four key tourist airports in the country. Plus, Mexico City's airport added new international direct flights in the *****, resulting in being rated as the best internationally connected airport in Latin America in 2019. With this and other developments in this sector, the North American country managed to rank among the top 20 destinations in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Ranking that year. South America's tourism leader Through its geographically diverse landscape and globally recognized wine industry, Argentina has grown its international tourism sector. The influx of foreign visitors to Argentina can in some way be attributed to the country's air-travel infrastructure. The national air carrier, Aerolineas Argentinas, was one of the top airline operating in Latin America in 2019. That same year, passenger traffic to Argentinian airports grew by **** percent. Though in April 2020, in the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrival of international air travel tourists to Argentina came to a complete halt, ensuing a similar fate of the global tourism industry.
Younger audiences dominate TikTok, a social video app that is also used extensively by influencers and travel bloggers. In April 2023, ********* was the city in Europe with the most TikTok views, amassing over *** billion views of videos tagged with the city's name. ****** was also extremely popular with TikTok users, totaling over **** billion views in April 2023, making the UK capital one of the most danceable cities in Europe. Other popular European cities tagged on the app were Paris, Istanbul, and Madrid.
In 2023, the most visited city in the United States by international tourists was ********, attracting just under **** million visitors. ********************* followed in the ranking, with roughly *** million and *** million international visitors, respectively.