An experienced traveler tries to choose an interesting and original place for each new trip, but everyone was once a beginner. When I first started traveling, like most ordinary tourists, first of all I visited those countries about which I heard and knew the most. So what are the most visited countries today? Where do the crowds of tourists flock?
No. 10. Mexico - 29.1 million visitors a year
Mexico ranks 10th in the ranking of the most visited countries in the world. In the ranking of the countries of the continent of America, Mexico is the second most visited country after the United States, even ahead of Canada! The number of visitors to Mexico per year is higher than the number of visitors in the entire Caribbean (22.8 million people per year). The most visited region in Mexico is the Yucatan Peninsula. People come here for gorgeous beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, lush rainforest and bustling nightlife.
No. 9. Russia - 29.8 million visitors per year
In recent years, Russia has been in the top 10 most visited countries in the world, only slightly behind the UK. There are 26 sites in Russia that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lake Baikal, volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka, the Black Sea coast, the snow-capped mountains of Altai are just a few of thousands famous places for visiting.
Russia is not only rich natural sites but also cultural attractions. The main cultural centers- Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Novgorod, Kazan, etc. -famous for numerous churches, museums, historical buildings, theaters, palaces, defensive structures and other objects with a rich centuries-old history.
The popularity of Russia as a country to visit is growing every year. About a million people in Russian Federation work in the field of tourism.
No. 8. UK - 32.6 million visitors a year
The tourism business annually brings to the state treasury $ 17.2 billion. Most of the UK tourists are Europeans, the second largest group of tourists arriving in the UK from the USA and Canada. London is the most visited city in the United Kingdom and the Tower is the most visited place.
No. 7. Germany - 33.0 million visitors per year
Germany is considered one of the safest tourist countries in the world. In Germany, tourism is developed both for its own citizens and for foreigners. According to statistics, 30% of Germans prefer to relax in the country.
In Germany, 2 million people work in the tourism sector, and the share of tourism in the country's GDP is 4.5%. Cultural tourist centers Germany is Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, they are also the most visited cities in the country. The most famous natural attractions in Germany are: National park Saxon Switzerland, Pomeranian Lagoons National Park, Jasmund National Park. These parks are visited by millions of tourists every year.
No. 6. Turkey - 39.8 million visitors a year
Turkey is in 6th place in terms of attendance. This country is known for its wealthy cultural heritage and ethnic diversity. In Turkey a large number of historical, cultural and archaeological sites, and in addition to this enchanting seaside resorts on the coasts of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas... Istanbul is the most visited city in Turkey.
In 2015, the Turkish tourism industry suffered losses due to a number of accidents associated with the actions of terrorist groups. Turkey has lost a third of the entire flow of tourists.
No. 5. Italy - 48.6 million visitors a year
To visit Italy is a dream of many people. 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, countless cultural artifacts, Roman and Renaissance archaeological sites, the Mediterranean coast and more! Italy is rightfully ranked 5th in terms of attendance.
The most visited cities in Italy: Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan. 48.6 million tourists annually bring huge amounts of money to the country's treasury.
No. 4. China - 55.6 million visitors a year
Great Chinese Wall, Sacred mountains China, Shaolin Monastery, Huangoshu Falls, Forbidden City, Three Gorges Power Station and many other attractions make China one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. According to the World Trade Organization, by 2020, China will rank first in the world among countries in terms of attendance.
No. 3. Spain - 65.0 million visitors per year
Tourism is the main industry in Spain. The share of tourism is 11% of the country's GDP. People go to Spain to visit Barcelona and Madrid, the resorts Mediterranean, take part in Carnivals and Ensierro (Spanish national custom, which consists in running away from bulls, cows or calves specially released from the corral).
15 national parks attract nature lovers. Spain is also famous for its ski resorts... 13 Spanish cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and attract tourists from all over the world.
# 2. USA - 74.8 million visitors a year
The huge country of the USA can surprise both beginners and experienced travelers... In cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the flow of tourists does not stop all year round. From the natural attractions of the United States: the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, the wonderful landscapes of Alaska, the beaches of Hawaii and much more. In 29 states of the United States, tourism is the main industry that brings big money to the treasury.
In the United States, the largest flows of tourists come from Mexico, Canada, Great Britain. According to statistics, by 2025 the United States will earn $ 2.5 trillion. US dollars on tourism.
# 1. France - 83.7 million visitors a year
Most people are attracted by the local flavor and special atmosphere, in addition, France is famous for its exquisite cuisine and wines.
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world thanks to Eiffel tower... Besides Paris, people travel to Lyon, Strasbourg and other cities. France is famous for its gorgeous ski resorts, alpine mountains, beaches, picturesque French villages, beautiful gardens and parks, and more.
Over the past half century, the tourism industry has made significant headway and strengthened. There are cities in the world where millions of tourists from all over the world come every year. There are companies in Britain that track tourist flows annually and publish lists of the most visited cities. The Global Destination Cities Index was presented by Master Card, having analyzed 132 cities of the world. Below is a list of the most visited cities in the world in 2018, and the number of their guests per year is shown in parentheses.
1. Bangkok (21.98 million)
The capital of Thailand remains incredibly contrasting today - miserable shacks here side by side with chic skyscrapers; there are areas where better for a tourist not to show up, but you can always find pleasant corners to visit, of which there are many in this city. Perhaps this is the contrast that attracts most tourists seeking to discover something unusual for themselves. 85.6% of visits were made for personal purposes, and only a small remaining part of travelers visited the city on business.
2. London (20.42 million)
In the capital of the once endless British Empire - London, in addition to the classic red double decker, the Elizabeth Tower with Big Ben and Palace of Westminster you can see the rather ridiculous skyscraper "Gherkin", and many more different, sometimes paradoxical, sights. London is largest metropolis in the European Union - it is inhabited by over 8 million people. Tourists who decide to get behind the wheel in London need to be careful, because there is a rather rare left-hand traffic in the world. The capital of the kingdom is crossed by the Greenwich Meridian, which divides the city into two parts, one of which lies in the eastern and the other in the western hemisphere. A week is not enough for tourists to catch a glimpse of all London's attractions. Especially popular recently is a huge Ferris wheel - "London Eye" (135 m), from which a magnificent panorama of the city opens. There are a lot of museums and palaces in London related to different eras... The most visited museums are Sherlock Holmes, Madame Tussauds and Buckingham Palace.
Carcassonne, namely the Carcassonne Fortress- France, region of Occitania. Medieval walled city, surrounded by a 3-kilometer double wall with 53 towers. The walls were built by the Romans in the 3rd century AD and fortified by the French in the Romanesque style in the following centuries.
2. Prague (Historic Center of Prague)
Prague, namely the historical center of Prague - Czech Republic. Prague is one of the most impressive medieval cityscapes in the world. The city has a huge number of outstanding architectural monuments in a picturesque natural environment. The historic center is large and consists of several parts, including the Old Town (Prague Old Town), New town(Prague New Town), Mala Strana and Hradcany, Charles Bridge and Josefov.
3. New York (Manhattan)
New York, namely Manhattan - USA, New York. The most famous historic district of the most famous and popular city the world is Manhattan, history Center skyscrapers. The first high-rise buildings in the world were built here at the end of the 19th century. Currently, the most famous skyscrapers are the Empire State Building (381 m high, built in 1931), Chrysler Building (282 m, built in 1930) and many others.
4. Sana (Old City of Sana "a)
Sanaa, namely Old city Sana'a - Yemen. An impressive display of unique Yemeni town planning and architecture. Sana'a was founded in 500 BC. and many of the city's buildings are dated to AD 500-600. .The 9th century city walls are 14 m high, the old city contains over 100 mosques. Unfortunately, Sana'a is closed to tourists due to the war in Yemen.
5. Venice
Venice - Italy, Veneto. One of the most unusual and most beautiful cities on Earth, which contains an incredible amount of artistic and architectural treasures.
6. Hong Kong
Hong Kong, a former British colony and now a separate administrative region within China, is one of the most impressive cities in the world. Hong Kong is one of the most significant in the worldfinancial centers, with the highestfinancial development indexand is invariably included inmost competitive economies in the world.
7. Istanbul
Istanbul - Turkey, a city where the border between Europe and Asia passes, where European and Muslim culture meet. One of the oldest cities in the world, the former center of Christendom, namely Constantinople. Istanbul is one of the most populous cities in the world and the largest European city... Istanbul is the fifth most popular tourist destination in the world.
8. Vienna
Vienna - Austria, this precious stone in a casket Austria. Perfect place to get acquainted with classical music, Austrian pastries, the finest apple strudel in Café Weimar, splendid architecture that recalls Vienna's imperial past, especially masterpieces such as the exquisite Baroque Austrian national library and a great opera.
9. Jerusalem (Jerusalem)
Jerusalem - Israel, the most controversial city in the Middle East, although it is perhapsone of the few places in the worldwhere churches stand peacefully next to the mosque and synagogues. Everything here seems to be covered in 4,000 years of Jewish dust, but it is an amazingly modern and young city.
