Top 10 most visited countries in the world (2024)

Tourism has been some of the world’s biggest trades since the time of man, and as such, it has been carried out by countless numbers of businesses.

Tourism is a significant sector in most nations of the world, contributing in great ways to the GDP of nations. The tourism industry reached over a 5 billion dollar value in 2021. 

This article lists the most visited countries in the world.

Recommended: 10 Countries with highest minimum wage in the world

The world’s most visited countries

Rank	Country	Visitors (annually)
1.	France	117,109,000
2.	Poland	88,515,000
3.	Mexico	51,128,000
4.	United States of America	45,037,000
5.	Thailand	39,916,000
6.	Italy	38,419,000
7.	Czechia	37,202,000
8.	Canada	32,430,000
9.	Spain	36,410,000
10.	Hungary	31,641,000

1. France

Visitors: 117,109,000

France is the most visited country in the world with over a hundred million visitors. The country has been known to be the centre of attraction for over 30 years now. France currently has a population of 67.5 million people, this makes the number of visitors to France almost double the size of its population. 

The most visited city in France is Paris, which is home to some of the world’s best tourist venues like the Eiffel Tower, numerous world-class restaurants, the palace of Versailles, the Musee Du Louvre, the nice beaches of Cote d’Azur, and Disney Palace.

Also, the city view, the beautiful buildings, the cave paintings and so many more fascinating sites make the views of most French cities look like depictions out of a storybook.

Paris is also said to be the world’s most visited city with over 80 million tourists annually.

2. Poland

Visitors: 88,515,000

Poland has a total visiting population of 88,515,000 visitors, making it the second most visited country in the world after France.

Poland is a country in the continent of Europe, it has 14 UNESCO world heritage sites, and possesses natural attractions like mountains, national parks and rugged coastlines with some of the world’s oldest salt bodies.

Poland also has a small holy site for pilgrimage and respect for Jews around the world, which was built during world war II and still stands to this day. The country is home to some of the world’s best architects, which have bombarded the country with elements of art and culture even down-to-time designs of medieval European historical artwork.

Also read: Top 10 richest countries in the world

3. Mexico

Visitors: 51,128,000

Mexico is the most visited country in the Americas and the 3rd most visited country in the world. The country has over 50 million visitors. 

Mexicans are uniquely gifted in the talent of colourful arts, having their houses and rivers well painted with bright colours. The country is blessed with architectural skill hence they are called the pride of expressive nature.

Mexico is home to eye-catching jungles, beautiful deserts, coastlines, and volcanoes. When in Mexico City, check out Oaxaca’s mountainous ridges and dive deep into the Caribbean, also explore highly adventurous parks through hiking and diving.

4. United States of America

Visitors: 45,037,000

The United States (US) is the 4th most visited country in the world and the second most visited country in the Americas. 

The US has long remained a popular travelling destination due to its sprawling metropolises.

It has an ever-evolving urban space, an excellent diversified culture and a cuisine that is made up of almost all continents’ dishes. US cities range from the high-spirited Portland to San Francisco a dynamic tech hub city, Miami is filled with lovely beaches and entertaining nightlife, New York, Washington, Chicago, Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle and others.

5. Thailand

Visitors: 39,916,000

Thailand has a total visitor population of over 39 million visitors. The country is filled with spiritual structures, having a great number of significant temples and shrines, its rural areas consist of deep caves, waterfalls, nice rice terraces and oscillating hills. Also, Thailand has a nice and pristine landscape, excellent weather conditions, an affordable market, and fabulous beaches.

In addition, Thailand has over a thousand rivers across its landscape and aquatic animals like corals, whale sharks and others.

Finally, It has the holiday town of Ko Tao, Ko Samui, and Ko Phi-Phi for massaging and great cuisine.

6. Italy

Visitors: 38,419,000

It is the 6th most visited country in the world Italy.

The country is home to excellent artists from the renowned Byzantine Architects, Padua’s frescoes, Michela David’s David and the work of the great Da Vinci.

The country created some of the world’s famous cuisine, including Pasta, Pizza, and has some of the most excellent wines in the world.

Also, the remnant of ancient Rome that was left in ruins is still intact in the country. It is also house to the biggest fashion brands in the world and the best fashion weeks.

Also read: 15 Best tax-free countries in the world

7. Czechia

Visitors: 37,202,000

The 7th most visited country in the world with over 37 million visitors.

The Czech Republic is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. It is home to several castles, chateaus, and mansions. It has renowned beautiful scenery, an abundant history, nice people and a great beer culture.

The country has warm springs, spas and many wellness centres offering massage and all other services.

8. Spain

Visitors: 36,410,000

This is the 8th most visited country in the world.

The European country has nice attractions like the Antoni Gaudi Sagrada  Familia Cathedral and other works amazing works in Barcelona.

Spain is home to the Guggenheim Museum with great landscapes from photographers’ reels, the Alhambra and Generalife garden. The country also has Europe’s largest aquarium, also ancient artefacts, structures and also volcanoes.

9. Canada

Visitors: 32,430,000

This is the 9th most visited country on the planet, having a very immense tourism industry.

Tourism accounted for 33.9 billion dollars of the country’s GDP in the first nine months of 2018.

Most of the Canadian visitors are from the United Kingdom, China and the neighbouring US, where adventure seekers find polar bears and beluga in places like Churchill.

Banff is home to one of Canada’s most spectacular national parks out of the three most special parks, which are Banff, Jasper, and Rocky mountain.

Newfoundland homes fjords, icebergs and glaciers. Also, Okanagan Valley is Canada’s answer to Napa, with rolling vineyards and superb wine.

10. Hungary

Visitors: 31,641,000

Hungary is the world’s 10th most visited country. The country has various centres of attraction ranging from the Hungary ocean, which is skirted by many villages.

Hungary is a country with a strong heritage and rich culture.

Recommended: 10 Smallest Countries in the world

Conclusion

Most times, visiting the listed areas is based largely on tourism, other reasons are for immigrating, change of environment and many more.