World’s top 10 international tourism destinations based on foreign tourist arrivals, 2014

With 83.7 million tourists, France continued to top the ranking of the world’s top ten international tourism destinations based on foreign tourist arrivals, according to the latest figures reported by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Tourism Highlights, 2015 Edition.

The United States ranked 1st in tourism earnings worldwide with US$ 177.2 billion, and 2nd in arrivals with 74.8 million foreign tourists visiting U.S. France came 4th in terms of international tourism receipts with US$ 55.4 billion.

Spain was 2nd in tourism earnings worldwide (and 1st in Europe) with US$ 65 billion in 2014, and 3rd in arrivals with 65 million. China remained 4th in arrivals (55.6 million), and climbed two places to 3rd position in receipts (US$ 56.9 billion), following 10% growth in 2014.

Italy has consolidated its position at 5th place in arrivals and 6th place in earnings in 2014, while Turkey remained 6th in arrivals and 12th in receipts, followed by Germany which came 7th in arrivals and 8th in earnings.

The world’s top 10 international tourism destinations based on foreign tourist arrivals, 2014

1. France
International tourist arrivals: 83.7 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 55.4 billion

2. United States
International tourist arrivals: 74.8 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 177.2 billion

3. Spain
International tourist arrivals: 65 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 65.2 billion

4. China
International tourist arrivals: 55.6 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 56.9 billion

5. Italy
International tourist arrivals: 48.6 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 45.5 billion

6. Turkey
International tourist arrivals: 39.8 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 29.5 billion

7. Germany
International tourist arrivals: 33 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 43.3 billion

8. United Kingdom
International tourist arrivals: 32.6 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 45.3 billion

9. Russian Federation
International tourist arrivals: 29.8 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 11.8 billion

10. Mexico
International tourist arrivals: 29.1 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 16.3 billion

Few other notable countries

India
International tourist arrivals: 7.7 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 19.7 billion

Singapore
International tourist arrivals: 11.9 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 19 billion

Japan
International tourist arrivals: 13.4 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 18.9 billion

Greece
International tourist arrivals: 22 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 17.8 billion

Cyprus
International tourist arrivals: 2.4 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 2.8 billion

Switzerland
International tourist arrivals: 9.2 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 17.5 billion

Switzerland
International tourist arrivals: 9.2 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 17.5 billion

Israel
International tourist arrivals: 2.9 million tourists
Tourism earnings: US$ 5.6 billion

*Tourism receipts, or money spent by international visitors, count all transactions related to consumption by international visitors including lodging, food, domestic transportation, entertainment, and shopping.