International tourism is an essential part of the global economy and contributes significantly to many countries’ GDP. But have you ever wondered how many international tourism there are? In this article, we’ll explore this topic in detail.
What is international tourism?
International tourism involves traveling to a foreign country for leisure, business, or other purposes. It is a rapidly growing industry, with millions of people traveling internationally every year. International tourism can have a significant impact on local economies by creating jobs and generating revenue for businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.
How many international tourists are there?
According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), there were 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2019. This number has been growing steadily over the years, with an average annual growth rate of 4% since 2010.
Top international tourist destinations
Some countries are more popular than others when it comes to international tourism. According to the UNWTO’s latest data from 2019, these were the top ten most visited countries:
- France: 89 million visitors
- Spain: 83 million visitors
- United States: 79 million visitors
- China: 65 million visitors
- Italy: 64 million visitors
- Turkey: 51 million visitors
- Mexico: 45 million visitors
- Germany: 39 million visitors
- Thailand: 39 million visitors
- The United Kingdom: 37 million visitors
Impact of international tourism
International tourism can bring many benefits to a country, including increased revenue and job creation. However, it can also have negative impacts on the environment and local communities. For example, over-tourism can lead to overcrowding in popular destinations, causing damage to natural resources and affecting the quality of life for locals.
The future of international tourism
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on international tourism. Many countries closed their borders to tourists in 2020 to help slow the spread of the virus. As a result, the number of international tourist arrivals fell by 72% between January and October 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
However, as more people are vaccinated against COVID-19 and travel restrictions are lifted, it is expected that international tourism will start to recover. The UNWTO predicts that international tourist arrivals will reach one billion by 2024.
Conclusion
International tourism is a vital industry that brings many benefits to countries around the world. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on this industry in recent times, it is expected that it will recover as more people start traveling again. As we move forward, it’s important for us to consider how we can ensure sustainable and responsible tourism practices that benefit both visitors and local communities alike.