Summary
France is the most visited country in the world, with 102.0 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, followed by Spain (93.8 million) and the United States (72.4 million) – UN Tourism’s latest full ranking has Türkiye fourth, Italy fifth, Mexico sixth, the United Kingdom seventh, Germany eighth, Japan ninth and Greece tenth; France reported about 102 million arrivals again in 2025
Global tourism kept growing in 2025, to about 1.52 billion international tourists, up 4% on 2024 – Europe received 793 million of them, Spain reported 96.8 million arrivals, and the United States fell to 68.3 million from 72.4 million in 2024 while Mexico rose to 47.8 million
The rankings depend on how arrivals are counted – countries define a tourist and count visits differently, and the most visited country is not the one that earns the most: the United States leads on tourism receipts, at US$213.0 billion in 2025, ahead of Spain and the United Kingdom
The top 10 most visited countries (UN Tourism, 2024)
International tourist arrivals, in millions. This is UN Tourism’s latest full ranking, from its International Tourism Highlights 2025 edition.
| Rank | Country | Arrivals in 2024 (millions) | Change on 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 102.0 | +2.0% |
| 2 | Spain | 93.8 | +10.1% |
| 3 | United States | 72.4 | +9.0% |
| 4 | Türkiye | 60.6 | +9.8% |
| 5 | Italy | 57.7 | +0.8% |
| 6 | Mexico | 45.0 | +7.3% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 41.8 | +12.0% |
| 8 | Germany | 37.5 | +7.7% |
| 9 | Japan | 36.9 | +11.8% |
| 10 | Greece | 36.0 | +10.1% |
France has held the top spot for many years, and in 2024 Spain, the United States and Türkiye all grew strongly.
What 2025 figures show so far
UN Tourism’s consolidated 2025 ranking is still being completed, because some countries haven’t reported. National and provisional figures published so far:
| Country | 2025 arrivals | How it compared |
|---|---|---|
| France | About 102 million (national estimate) | In line with 2024 |
| Spain | 96.8 million (Spain’s statistics office) | Up 3.2% |
| United States | 68.3 million | Down 5.5% from 72.4 million in 2024 |
| Italy | About 61.5 million (provisional) | Up from 57.7 million |
| Mexico | 47.8 million overnight visitors | Up from 45.0 million |
| Japan | 42.7 million (national figure) | Up 15.8% |
| Greece | About 38.0 million (provisional) | Up from 36.0 million |
Türkiye reports its numbers two ways: 52.8 million foreign visitors, or 63.9 million including citizens living abroad. That is one example of why rankings differ by source.
Globally, UN Tourism’s January 2026 World Tourism Barometer reports an estimated 1.52 billion international tourists in 2025, up 4% and almost 60 million more than in 2024, with Europe at 793 million (also up 4%). UN Tourism expects growth of 3% to 4% in 2026.
Why the figures differ
International tourist arrivals are not as simple as they sound:
- They count trips, not people. A traveller who visits two countries on one holiday is counted as an arrival in both.
- Countries define “visitor” differently. Some count only foreign passport holders, and others include citizens who live abroad, as in Türkiye’s two figures.
- Same-day visitors are usually excluded. Mexico recorded 47.8 million overnight international tourists in 2025, and more than 50 million same-day visitors on top of that, mostly crossing by land or arriving on cruise ships.
- China, Hong Kong and Macau are reported separately. Many of their visitors come from mainland China, so combining them changes the picture. China reported 64.9 million trips by foreign nationals in 2024, Hong Kong 45.0 million and Macau 34.9 million.
- Provisional figures change. 2025 numbers can be revised as countries finalise their data.
Most visited by region
Europe, 2025
| Country | 2025 arrivals (millions) | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 96.8 | 93.8 |
| Türkiye | About 62 (provisional) | 60.6 |
| Italy | About 61.5 (provisional) | 57.7 |
| Greece | About 38.0 (provisional) | 36.0 |
| Austria | 33.5 | 31.9 |
| Netherlands | 22.4 | 21.2 |
France, the United Kingdom and Germany were still pending in UN Tourism’s table at the time of writing. Spain’s three biggest source markets in 2025 were the UK (19.1 million visitors), France (12.8 million) and Germany (12.0 million).
The Americas, 2025
| Country | 2025 arrivals (millions) | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 68.3 | 72.4 |
| Mexico | 47.8 | 45.0 |
| Canada | 19.8 | 20.0 |
| Brazil | 9.3 | 6.7 |
| Dominican Republic | 8.9 | 8.5 |
Asia and the Middle East, 2024
| Destination | 2024 arrivals (millions) |
|---|---|
| China (foreign nationals’ trips) | 64.9 |
| Hong Kong | 45.0 |
| Japan | 36.9 |
| Thailand | 35.5 |
| Macau | 34.9 |
| Saudi Arabia | 29.7 |
| Malaysia | 25.0 |
| United Arab Emirates | 18.7 |
| Vietnam | 17.5 |
| South Korea | 16.4 |
Figures come from national tourism authorities and statistics offices, as compiled by UN Tourism. Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported about 33.0 million arrivals in 2025, down 7.2% and its first annual fall in a decade outside the pandemic years.
Most visited is not the same as most lucrative
The countries that earn the most from international visitors are not the same as the ones with the most arrivals. UN Tourism’s 2025 tourism receipts (US$ billions):
| Rank | Country | 2025 receipts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 213.0 |
| 2 | Spain | 113.8 |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 89.6 |
| 4 | France | 84.0 |
| 5 | Japan | 64.0 |
| 6 | Italy | 61.4 |
| 7 | Türkiye | 60.0 |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates | Pending (US$57.0 in 2024) |
| 9 | Australia | 55.4 |
| 10 | China | 55.2 |
Canada follows at US$51.3 billion. Dividing receipts by arrivals, France earns far less per visitor than the United States, which earns far more in total than any other country.
The Australian and New Zealand view
Australia and New Zealand are small in these tables but not as travellers: Australians were among the world’s top ten spenders on international tourism in 2025, at US$47.8 billion, and Australia itself ranked ninth for tourism receipts at US$55.4 billion in UN Tourism’s 2025 table.
If you’re planning a trip, check each country’s entry requirements early, and use the Australian Government’s Smartraveller or the New Zealand Government’s SafeTravel for official advice. Our guides to France, England and Thailand cover entry rules and money tips for Australians and New Zealanders.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
What is the most visited country in the world?
France, with 102.0 million international tourist arrivals in 2024 according to UN Tourism, and about 102 million again in 2025 according to national figures.
What are the top 5 most visited countries?
According to UN Tourism’s 2024 ranking: France, Spain, the United States, Türkiye and Italy.
Which country has the most tourists after France?
Spain, with 93.8 million arrivals in 2024 and 96.8 million in 2025.
Where does China rank?
China reports a large number of foreign-national trips (64.9 million in 2024), but its figures are reported differently from most countries, so it often appears separately from the main global ranking.
Why do different websites show different rankings?
They use different years, definitions and sources. Some count only foreign passport holders, some include citizens living abroad, and 2025 figures are still provisional for several countries.
Which country earns the most from tourism?
The United States, with US$213.0 billion in international tourism receipts in 2025, ahead of Spain and the United Kingdom.
Important information
This article is general information. Tourism statistics are drawn from UN Tourism and national statistics offices and tourism authorities, and figures for 2025 are provisional and may be revised. Rankings depend on how each country defines and counts visitors. Check official government sources for entry requirements before you travel. OrbitRemit is an international money transfer service and does not provide travel or visa advice.
Related guides
If you need to send money to family or a booking overseas, OrbitRemit sends money from Australia and New Zealand to over 50 countries. Check current rates at orbitremit.com.
Last updated 12 November 2026.
Sources: UN Tourism, International Tourism Highlights 2025 Edition and World Tourism Barometer (January 2026), as compiled in the World Tourism rankings | Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) | Atout France | Japan National Tourism Organization via Nippon.com | U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office | Mexico’s Secretaría de Turismo | Daily Sabah (Türkiye) | China National Immigration Administration, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Macao DSEC, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and other national tourism authorities for the 2024 Asian figures | U.S. International Trade Administration and NTTO (68,287,793 arrivals in 2025) | Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports (2025)
