Tourist Flows Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels — Travelers Head Abroad Again
According to the World Tourism Organization, by 2025 the tourism sector had recovered to pre-pandemic levels. International arrivals in 2024 totaled 1.4 billion — about 99% of the 2019 figure — and in some regions and countries the numbers even surpassed pre-crisis levels.
Data published in the 2024 World Tourism Barometer show that several destinations posted double-digit growth compared with 2019: El Salvador (+81%), Saudi Arabia (+69%), Ethiopia (+40%), Morocco (+35%), Guatemala (+33%) and the Dominican Republic (+32%).
European countries remain the world’s most popular destinations. The Old Continent attracts guests not only with excellent service and a mild climate but also with historic landmarks — many of which fill nearly the entire top-20 list of the world’s most photographed sites.
According to World Population Review, which compiles up-to-date demographic, economic and statistical data, France ranks first in tourist popularity — a position it has held for more than 30 years. Researchers report that nearly 90 million foreign visitors came to France in 2024. Major draws include Parisian palaces and cathedrals, Disneyland, picturesque villages and the beaches of the French Riviera.
Spain is second with 83.7 million international arrivals. Its coastline, Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces and the unique landscapes of the Canary Islands — home even to an ancient, still-active volcano — attract visitors year-round from every continent. Spain is one of the few places where abundant cultural attractions harmoniously combine with sun-soaked seaside leisure.
The United States ranks third, with 79.3 million visitors. Most tourist flows head to New York — often dubbed the “capital of the world,” despite lacking any official capital status — while Florida and California draw millions for beaches, theme parks, iconic sights, natural beauty and prime shopping.
China follows, welcoming 65.7 million international tourists in 2024. The Great Wall tops the list of must-see attractions, but the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, ultra-modern megacities, spectacular natural landscapes and exotic cuisine all help make China a leading choice for travelers.
Italy takes fifth place — a country where every region breathes history and the grandeur of antiquity. In 2024, it received 64.5 million visitors. Travelers flock here to admire masterpieces of architecture and art — from the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica to the Uffizi Gallery and Venice’s canals — and to enjoy the scenic charms of Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast and the Alps, where sightseeing, gastronomy and outdoor sports blend seamlessly.
Text by Yulia Zemtsova
Cover photo by Marianna
Translated from Russian by Sofia Zemtsova
