France world’s most popular country
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France is the world’s most visited country and was the only one to receive more than 80 million tourists in 2013, according to new statistics.
Data from the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) found 84.7 million people visited France in 2013, up 2% on the previous year. Overnight stays also increased 4% year-on-year.
The USA was the second most visited but by quite a margin, with 69.8 million heading to the States in 2013.
Spain regained the third spot it lost to China last year with 60.7m and 55.7m tourists respectively, although the Asia Pacific region generally has seen the strongest growth in tourism by 6%. This was followed by Europe and Africa, which both saw a 5% increase.
The UK was eighth in the top tourism destination list with a 6.4% increase to 31.2 million tourists.
Tourism accounts for one in 11 jobs around the world with tourist numbers surpassing one billion in 2012, with 1.087 billion people travelling in 2013, up 5%.
Just over half are travelling by air (53%) compared to 40% by road, 5% on water and 2% on rail. A similar figure (52%) are also travelling for leisure holidays, while 14% are travelling to see friends, family, health, religion or another reason. Business travel made up 14% of visits.
Tourism receipts also increased 5% to reach US$1159 billion (EUR873bn).
By 2030 the UNWTO expects there will be 1.8 billion people travelling internationally, although four in five travellers choose to move within their own region. China remains the largest outbound travel market.
World’s Top Tourism Destinations
- France 84.7m
- USA 69.8m
- Spain 60.7m
- China 55.7m
- Italy 47.7m
- Turkey 35.7m
- Germany 31.5m
- UK 31.2m
- Russian Federation 28.4m
- Thailand 26.5m
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