In this piece, we will take a look at the top five countries in our world tourism rankings by country. If you want to take a look our analysis of the tourism industry and some popular destinations, head on over to World Tourism Rankings by Country.
5. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
International Tourism Receipts: $52.7 billion
The U.K. is another country with a deep and historic past. It is known to be the land of the kings, with the British Monarchy having existed in one form or the other for centuries. This also lends Great Britain a diverse set of historical landmarks that have played a central role in the feuds between its rulers as well as have signified key points in the nation’s industrial development. Not to mention, key British cities such as London have a vibrant nightlife and Scotland is known for some of the most beautiful pastures in the world.
4. Kingdom of Thailand
International Tourism Receipts: $60.5 billion
The Kingdom of Thailand is an Asian country that has transformed its economy on the basis of tourism. Thailand is known for its scenic destinations such as the Gulf of Thailand famous for its clear waters. Thailand’s capital Bangkok is one of the most famous cities in the world for tourists. It is known all over the world for its nightlife, and a relatively unknown fact about Thailand is that it is also a top global destination for medical tourism as people frequently visit the country for cosmetic surgeries.
3. French Republic
International Tourism Receipts: $63.8 billion
Just as French museum heists are a popular topic for movies, France as a whole is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Its capital Paris is one of the hubs for global art, and the renowned Louvre museum houses art works that have played a crucial role in Europe’s cultural reawakening in the aftermath of the infamous Dark Ages. France is also a fiercely democratic country, and it is full of landmarks of former royalty that was thrown out of power by revolutionaries. Not to mention, its colonial past and role in the second world war nicely round off its tourism significance.
2. Kingdom of Spain
International Tourism Receipts: $79.7 billion
The Kingdom of Spain is another former colonial power. The WTO’s headquarters are located in the country, and tourists mostly from Europe primarily flock to the country each year. Spain is known for its vibrant beaches, festivals, nightlife, and museums.
1. United States of America
International Tourism Receipts: $214 billion
While not as old as either China or Japan, the United States of America still ranks at the top of our list. And even though it’s not old, America is one of the few countries that fought a war for years to overthrow the British monarchy – lending it its own unique flavor of sites. Additionally, countless people also flock to its shores for entertainment, business, and medical purposes.
Disclosure: None. You can also take a look at 10 Best Organic Food and Farming Stocks To Buy and 20 Countries With the Most Skyscrapers.
