Tuesday, June 4, 2024 Asia-Pacific tourism soars, led by China’s massive $196.5B spend, reclaiming its top spender status, says UN Tourism. The travel industry witnessed a significant rebound in 2023, with Asia-Pacific leading the recovery charge.
China, a powerhouse in outbound tourism, reclaimed its top spender position after a brief hiatus, splashing out a staggering USD 196.5 billion on international travel. This surpassed the United States (USD 150 billion), Germany (USD 112 billion), the United Kingdom (USD 110 billion), and France (USD 49 billion).
India’s travel appetite soared, propelling it to the number eight spot, a significant jump from its 2019 ranking of 14th. This rise reflects the country’s growing importance as a source market for international tourism. Italy also enjoyed a rise in the rankings, moving from tenth to seventh place.
France held onto its crown as the most visited destination in 2023, welcoming a whopping 100 million international tourists. Spain followed closely behind with 85 million, while the United States continued to be a popular choice with 66 million visitors. Italy and Türkiye rounded out the top five with 57 million and 55 million tourists, respectively.
Several destinations saw their popularity increase compared to pre-pandemic times. Italy, Türkiye, Mexico, Germany, and Austria all climbed a spot in the rankings. The United Kingdom also witnessed a surge, moving from tenth to seventh place, and Greece experienced a similar .