The tourist head-count for 2011 has come in and France has a firm hold on the title for attracting the most travellers.
The nation deemed one of the world’s most romantic had an impressive 79.5 million international visitors last year, according to the World Trade Organisation’s latest tourism report.
The United States was the second most popular destination, but easily took the crown for the most tourism dollars spent there - US$116.3 billion.
China was the third most popular country, while Malaysia was ranked the second most popular country to visit in Asia.
The rest of the top 10 is dominated by European countries including Spain, Italy and Germany.
There were 983 million international tourist arrivals last year, and 2012 is expected to top one billion tourists for the first time ever.
And which tourists are the biggest spenders? The Germans. They spent US$84 billion abroad last year, retaining its spending title from last year.
The report predicts that the market for global tourism will continue to grow on average 3.3 percent each year.
Emerging economy destinations are also expected to surpass advanced countries in the popularity stakes.
The world’s top destinations (million tourists)
1. France 79.52. United States 62.3
3. China 57.6
4. Spain 56.7
5. Italy 46.1
6. Turkey 29.3
7. United Kingdom 29.2
8. Germany 28.4
9. Malaysia 24.7
10. Mexico 23.4
The biggest international tourism receipts (billion)
1. United States US$116.32. Spain US$59.9
3. France US$53.8
4. China US$48.5
5. Italy US$43
6. Germany US$38.8
7. United Kingdom US$35.9
8. Australia US$31.4
9. Macao (N/A)
10. Hong Kong US$27.7
The biggest spenders: (billion)
1. Germany US$84.32. United States US$79.1
3. China US$72.6
4. United Kingdom US$50.6
5. France US$41.7
6. Canada US$33
7. Russian Federation US$32.5
8. Italy US$28.7
9. Japan US$27.2
10. Australia US$26.9
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37 Comments
any ways i recently got my residency in newzealand and i am from pakistan in my view newzealand is theeeeeeeeeeeeeee best and best we are small but still on top.thx
1 ReplyWay down the bottom hahahahahahahahaha lol
ReplyAsh hsa, obviously you are a born bread kiwi, trying to defend this country. People like u are not fighters for justice. this is not about good beef. It is about ausies getting payed double then us and our prices are triple as much as what is in australia. This really doesn't make any sense.it is not the world market.!!!!! why does our meat and milk price in usa self 1/4. We import the same milk and meat and the same stuff is triple price here. explain, because i don't get it. I know it is beautiful place, but so are all other countries with milk prices 3 times lesser then this place, which is the highest producer of milk overall. If chinese pay so little for import why do the people of new zealand pay so much. There gotta be an explanation.i want opinion from kiwis. See if they can defend themselves from the sleeve bags. I know because i have traveled to every country and know the difference!! Can smell rip off from very far!!
ReplyThe French also appreciate it if you can utter a few words in their tongue so my schoolboy days came in handy.
Replyfrom all this negative comments looks like non of you its from NZ,im original from europe but was living in Nz for 10 years ans last november i moved in AUS,since i moved here i was living in Adelaide,Melbourne (i couldnt wait to get out of there) and now im in Brisbane.In one year of experience here i think that NZ its still best country for living,work wise and etc. some of you said that the biggest milk producer its the most expensive,thats coz its WORLD PRIZE MARKET and best quality of milk we have,meet to ...you should try Aussie beef i did once and never again about the camping ground and hotels,you all saying its same prize of camping ground and hotel or motel in NZ if so you have choice to sleep in tent or on proper bed i prefer bed :) its all about choice. again NZ its D best country in every point of view so shut up and enjoy lol
3 Replies