International Tourism Makes Strong Recovery Post-Pandemic
With about 1.3 billion trips recorded in 2023, international travel is on the rise again, generating approximately $1.7 trillion in global tourism spending. The return of Chinese international travel, following the removal of governmental quarantine restrictions, significantly boosted international tourism last year and is expected to continue accelerating in 2024.
UN Tourism predicts that Chinese tourism will further increase this year as the country implements visa-free travel for citizens of select countries for a year.
This graphic from Visual Capitalist’s Kayla Zhu showcases the 10 most visited cities in 2023, based on total international arrivals according to Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023.
Top Cities for Tourists in 2023
Istanbul and Antalya in Turkey both made it to the top 10 list. Istanbul, a cultural and historic hub, and Antalya, a picturesque coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and luxury resorts, attracted a significant number of international visitors.
Turkey was also the fifth most-visited country in 2023, welcoming 55 million visitors in total. France topped the list with 100 million international visitors and is expected to maintain or increase these numbers in 2024, especially with the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
Asian cities like Hong Kong and Bangkok saw significant growth in tourist numbers in 2023, as they were among the last to reopen post-pandemic. Hong Kong experienced a remarkable 2,495% increase in tourists during the year.
Cancún, a popular tourist destination in Mexico known for its beaches and luxury resorts, was the only Latin American city to make the top 10 list. In 2023, the Cancun International Airport welcomed 48% of all international air travelers in the country.
Explore this graphic to discover the most visited countries in the world in 2023.
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