In 2016, four countries moved up in the Top 10 ranking by international tourism receipts and three in the ranking by international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors). Most notably, Thailand climbed further, up to 3rd place from 5th in terms of tourism receipts in its second year of double-digit growth, hitting the US$ 50 billion mark in 2016. It also moved up one place in arrivals to 9th position (33 million).

When ranking the world’s top international tourism destinations, it is preferable to take more than a single indicator into account. Ranked according to the two key tourism indicators – international tourist arrivals and international tourism receipts – it is interesting to note that eight out of the Top 10 destinations appear on both lists, despite showing marked differences in terms of the type of tourists they attract, as well as their average length of stay and their spending per trip and per night. It should be noted that changes in the ranking of international tourism receipts not only reflect the relative performance of the destinations, but also exchange rate fluctuations of the local currencies against the US dollar.

The United States continues to top the international tourism receipts ranking, with US$ 206 billion earned in 2016. It is the second largest destination in international tourist arrivals with 76 million. Spain follows as the world’s second largest earner with US$ 60 billion, and the third largest destination in terms of arrivals with 76 million, virtually equalling the US. China remains in fourth position in terms of both receipts (US$ 44 billion) and arrivals (59 million). France climbed one place to 5th position in tourism earnings, with US$ 42 billion, and remains the world’s top destination in terms of international arrivals with 83 million. Italy moved up one place to 6th position in receipts (US$ 40 billion) and is still 5th in arrivals (52 million).

The United Kingdom climbed two places to 6th position in arrivals, but moved down four places in receipts to 7th, partly due to the depreciation of the British pound, resulting in lower earnings in terms of US dollars. Germany remains 8th in terms of receipts and 7th in arrivals, while Hong Kong (China) continues to rank 9th in receipts and 13th in arrivals. Australia re-entered the Top 10 in terms of receipts at number 10, while moving from 42nd to 40th position in arrivals. Mexico climbed another place to 8th position in arrivals and moved up two in receipts to 14th. Turkey completes the Top 10 in arrivals, moving down an estimated four places (data still pending for 2016) following the security incidents and failed coup last year. In terms of receipts, Turkey moved down five places to 17th position.

 

Source: UNWTO (World Tourism Organization)