https://earthnworld.com/top-10-most-visited-countries-in-the-world/
MOST VISITED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
1. FRANCE
This European country is widely recognized for its diverse tourist destinations and is the most visited country in the world with 83.7 million international tourists visiting the country in 2014. Paris, Strasbourg, Alsace, and Lyon are the main cities that attract tourists. Apart from this, there are many attractions like beaches, small picturesque villages, natural parks and forests, adventure sports, historical destinations and luxury destinations offering something for everyone. 9.7% of the country's GDP comes from tourism of which 30% is contributed by foreign tourists while 70% comes from domestic tourism. France also has some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Tumulus of Bougon oldest building in the world built back in 4800 BC located in France.
2. UNITED STATES
The third largest country in the world has a diverse geography which means that there is a wide range of tourist destinations to choose from. Cities like New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and Honolulu are some of the most popular destinations while natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Alaskan icebergs and the beaches of Florida are some of the best in the world. The most number of foreign tourists come from Canada, United Kingdom, and Mexico. Also, United States is one of the countries with longest coastlines.
3. SPAIN
A destination that gives a tropical feel in Europe, this country relies heavily on tourism which accounts for 11% of its annual GDP. Spain combines the comforts of European travel along with magnificent beaches on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, historical sites and lively festivals and carnivals. The most popular cities are Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville and many UNESCO world heritage sites also see a large number of tourists. Guggenheim Museum is one of the modern architectural wonders around the world. The maximum number of visitors to Spain comes from Western European countries of UK, France, and Germany and domestic tourists also contribute a significant amount to the revenue. Malaga in Spain is one of the cities with best weather conditions in the world.
4. CHINA
Due to its Communist government and a closed position in international relations, China may seem like an unlikely tourist destination, but it has a great many advantages for foreign tourists. Apart from several sites of historical, cultural and ecological importance like The Great Wall of China, the Fiver Sacred Mountains, the Shaolin Temple, the Huangguoshu Waterfall, the Forbidden City and the Three Gorges, China is also cheap and has excellent public transport. It is estimated that by 2020, China will become the most visited country in the world. Reed Flute Cave is one of the most incredible caves in the world
5. ITALY
Italy has a rich history and most of its sites are very well preserved to date which makes it very attractive for tourists and is one of the most visited countries in the world. Italy has 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites belonging to various periods in history. Colosseum in Rome is one of the spectacular wonders of the world. There are several Roman monuments, structures from the Renaissance period and sites commemorating the two World Wars. There are also small alpine villages offering insights into traditional Italian life, adventure sports, beautiful beaches and unbelievably good food. Italy is undoubtedly on the bucket list of every traveller.
6. TURKEY
Till 2015, Turkey was one of the most visited countries in the world. Its proximity to Europe and Asia, luxurious resorts on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, a multitude of historical monuments and cultural diversity are the main aspects that make it a very popular destination. In 2014 the host more than 39 million international tourists but this number has declined since. In 2015, there were many attacks by the Islamic State and political instability and this has deterred tourists from coming here.
7. GERMANY
This prosperous Western European country derives 38 million dollars and 2 million jobs from its tourist industry and more than 30 million foreign tourists visited Germany in 2014. It is regarded as one of the safest countries in Europe and has many sites of cultural, historical and environmental importance. Berlin, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Nuremberg, and Munich are the cities most visited by tourists. There are many protected forests and historical sites dating back to the two World Wars that are frequented by tourists. It is also the starting point for many trans-European vacations. Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany is one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe that you should visit.
8. UNITED KINGDOM
The UK is favoured by many European and North American tourists for its historical sites, well-developed tourist facilities and infrastructure and a peek into the cultural dynamic of the country. London is the most popular city for international tourists and the London Bridge, Tower of London and London Eye are some popular destinations. In 2014, it received 32 million foreign tourists and generated revenue of 17.2 billion dollars. There is also widespread domestic tourism with people from the industrialized South preferring the villages and pastures of the North while the Northerners prefer to visit the cities of the South.
9. RUSSIA
This large country is one of the most visited countries in the world for its multitude of cultural and historical sites as well as many natural wonders. Monuments, Palaces, and Churches from the Tsarist period, Lake Baikal, volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka, the Sea coasts, the Ruskeala Canyon, snowy mountains of Altai are some of the most popular tourist destinations. The cities of St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Novgorod, Kazan and Moscow are most frequented by foreign tourists. The country has 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and generated revenue of 11.2 billion dollars in 2014 from the tourism industry. It is also one of the coldest countries in the world.
10. THAILAND
A cheap and vibrant tropical destination, Islands in Thailand is one of the world's most fascinating and beautiful. The sandy beaches, sunny weather, Thai food, cheap shopping, and hotels, as well as world-class tourist facilities, make it a favourite with Asian and Western visitors. It is estimated that tourism contributed around 20% of Thailand's GDP and that the country may get more than 100 million visitors by 2032. Medical Tourism is also thriving in Thailand and patients from all over the world visit this country to take advantage of the cheap and good quality medical treatment.
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