The most visited countries in the world. International tourism as a sphere of economic activity Countries are leaders in the tourism industry

Over the past 10 years, the global travel market has changed a lot. China, Russia and other countries with actively developing economies took the first positions in terms of the expenses of their citizens on travel abroad.

For example, China's spending on overseas travel reaches $ 102 billion a year. And in many other countries, whose citizens have long been going on vacation abroad, in 2012 there is also an increase in outbound tourism spending.

1.China (US $ 102 billion)

According to various statistics, China is one of the fastest growing and most successful tourist destination in the world. The reason for this active development was the simplification of tourist formalities, the active process of urbanization and an increase in the average income of the country's citizens. These major factors have enabled an increasing number of Chinese tourists to travel internationally. In the period from 2000 to 2012. the number of people traveling abroad has increased from 10 million to 83, and this figure is growing every year. In 2012, China spent $ 102 billion on outbound tourism, a 40% increase over 2011 ($ 73 billion).

2. Germany (US $ 83.8 billion)

Germany is the economic leader in Europe and spends about $ 83.8 billion a year on the travel of its citizens abroad. As in many other European countries, Germany has a high standard of living, which allows its citizens to actively travel the world. The number of people going abroad in Germany is increasing every year. Over the past few years, the main travel destinations for Germans have been Austria (17% of outbound tourists), Spain (16%) and Italy (13%).

3. USA (83.7 billion US dollars)

The United States of America is also emerging as a leader in outbound tourism spending for its citizens. In 2012, 57.7 million Americans went on vacation to other countries, up 4% from 2011. Approximately 1/3 of tourists visit Mexico. The second most popular country among American travelers is Canada, which hosted about 12 million US tourists last year. The third place is taken by the countries of Europe, attracting about 11 million Americans, which is 4% more than in 2011.

4. United Kingdom ($ 52.3 billion)

The British consider travel to be one of the most important parts of their life. That is why the UK is one of the leading countries in terms of the number of citizens traveling abroad. In 2012, the flow of tourists from this country abroad increased by 4% compared to 2011.

5. Russian Federation (US $ 42.8 billion)

It is no secret that Russia is a country with a rapidly developing economy. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a tourist boom took place in Russia, a sharp development of both domestic and outbound types of tourism began. In 2012, Russians spent 43 billion US dollars on vacations abroad, which is 32% more than in 2011. This indicator allowed Russia to become the leader in terms of the amount of expenses of its citizens for recreation and travel abroad.

6.France (US $ 38.1 billion)

Today France is one of the most visited countries for tourism in the world. But this does not mean that the French themselves do not like to travel abroad. They spend quite large sums on foreign travel. However, in 2012 the number of outbound tourists dropped sharply by 6% over the previous year.

7.Canada ($ 35.2 billion)

Discussion of the world's leading outbound tourism countries cannot be complete without mentioning Canada. Canadians today travel more often and with more pleasure than ever before. With the improvement of the economic situation in the country, most of its citizens can afford holidays abroad. Canada is one of those countries where the flow of tourists traveling abroad is not only increasing, this indicator is quite stable and stable. Over the past two years, Canadian citizens' travel spending has grown by 20% to reach $ 35.2 billion in 2012.

8. Japan ($ 28.1 billion)

Japanese tourists' spending on overseas travel reached US $ 28.1 billion in 2012. Due to the strong economy, outbound tourism is highly developed in the country. Despite unstable relations with China and numerous earthquakes in the country, Japan remains a great world power with a developed tourism market. Most Japanese citizens claim that no crisis will affect their plans to travel abroad. 54% of tourists will go on vacation for the same period as last year, 21% of those surveyed plan to travel longer and visit more places than in 2011. According to research by Japanese experts, the flow of tourists going abroad this year will increase by 3% compared to 2012.

9. Australia (US $ 27.6 billion)

Australia is known worldwide for its parks and reserves with untouched wildlife, as well as great cultural and historical attractions and beach resorts. The country attracts a large number of local travelers and tourists from abroad, which cannot but have a positive effect on the economy of the state. Recently, the Australians themselves have begun to travel very actively around the world. In the next few years, an increase in the flow of people traveling abroad is expected by 3% compared to 2011. This should be facilitated by the economic stability of the state and a low unemployment rate.

10.Italy (US $ 26.2 billion)

Italy is among the top ten countries for outbound tourism. Italians are quite active in traveling abroad, but unlike countries such as Belgium, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands, in 2012 in Italy there is a decline in the interest of citizens in international travel.

Among all the existing world tourism destinations, there are a number of leading countries in the number of travelers in 2019-2020. Such popularity, as a rule, is due to the various advantages of rest in a particular country.

It can be both unique sights, architectural monuments and natural objects, as well as a tourist-oriented policy of the country, which makes it easier to enter it. The total cost of the trip is also an important factor. The ranking of the TOP 10 countries for 2020 is as follows.

Considering the most visited countries in the world, one cannot ignore. According to statistics, this year the state was visited by up to 22 million tourists, which allowed it to take a leading position among similar destinations. Guests of this country are given a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the ancient culture of the disappeared Mayan people, bask in the hot sun or swim in clear water.

The cost of rest here varies depending on the living conditions. There are many hotels, and all of them are able to satisfy even the most demanding guests thanks to the exceptional service and affordable prices for accommodation.

Fascinating Mexico (capital - Mexico City)

Also, Mexico will delight tourists with a loyal attitude towards guests, thanks to which the latter have the opportunity to visit these states without the need for visas and other permits.

Tours to this country are in incredible demand both from tourists from the Russian Federation and the CIS countries, and among citizens of other states. The secret of such success is extremely simple - great weather, unique culture and low cost of recreation.

In addition, one should not forget about the loyal policy of this country in relation to tourists: visa-free entry for citizens of most countries is a huge plus.

When planning a trip here, travelers note that most of the budget planned for vacation is the cost of the flight. In the same time, food prices and other expenses are incredibly low... In comparison with other inexpensive analogs, it boasts an excellent quality of service, which makes visiting it competent and rational.

Additionally, it should be noted that the specificity of this country provides excellent opportunities for nature tourism, which certainly includes a visit to the local natural wonders.

Russia

The Russian Federation is also on the list of countries with the highest numbers of tourists. This interest is due to cultural characteristics, as well as the rich history of the state. Due to the climatic specifics, this direction is more preferred by lovers of winter recreation and related sports, such as alpine skiing, snowboarding and others.

Adherents of extreme recreation are in great demand for trips to Siberia, where, in hiking conditions, a tourist has the opportunity to enjoy the unique beauty of this corner of Russia.

Moscow and St. Petersburg are very popular among fans of historical excursions, while fans of the hot sun often go to Kazan or Sochi. Quite a large demand is observed for tours that include a number of cities and make it possible to form the most complete impression of the country.

This direction is incredibly popular due to a number of features. First of all, these include a huge number of ancient sights of the medieval period. Also here a tourist is expected:

high quality service in hotels;
a huge number of architectural monuments;
unique distinctive culture.

An additional advantage in this direction is that the official language is English... Since it is international, it is easy for travelers to navigate the city and communicate with the locals.

France

Romantic Paris has long held a leading position among popular tourist destinations, and is perhaps the most visited country in the world, along with the United States. Holidays in France allow you to balance the tourist program by including many different activities and just admire the most romantic city in the world.

Fans of excursions will certainly not refuse to visit - the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, and lovers of the sea will certainly turn their attention to the Cote d'Azur. In addition, this state is fraught with many cultural characteristics, including unique local cuisine, interesting customs and many other factors that attract tourists to this destination.

Video about a trip to France.

France is more suitable for a romantic pastime than other states.

If you go here with children, it is easy to make the trip interesting for all family members. After all, Disneyland is located here, which will surely leave many vivid and pleasant impressions and give children joy.

USA

This country is able to truly surprise travelers with a unique variety that cannot be compared with any other destination. First of all, it includes several climatic zones, strikingly different from each other, which provides excellent opportunities for nature tourism. This is facilitated by the huge number of national parks that occupy a significant part of the country's territory.

USA is the longed-for dream of many

In addition, there are many architectural and historical sights. Tourists most often prefer San Francisco and Washington. Often, package tours include visits to all of these cities, allowing you to enjoy the diversity to the fullest.

Do not forget about Las Vegas, which is in great demand not only by foreigners, but also by US residents due to the unique opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of unbridled fun and excitement.

People's Republic of China

Despite the fact that this destination has recently begun to be in demand, it quickly gained immense popularity among tourists from all over the world. First of all, travelers here are interested in the local culture and flavor. It's no secret that this civilization seems to be one of the most ancient, and therefore boasts a huge number of attractions.

the great Wall of China

Another feature that compels travelers to come here is the rapidly growing economy. Local hotels are able to provide excellent accommodation for a relatively small fee, and the number of goods and services that can be purchased profitably in this state has made it popular with shoppers.

Celestial - majestic and mysterious

In China, one can observe a unique combination of the dynamic pace of life in the metropolis and the peaceful tranquility of small settlements. Therefore, when visiting this country, you should definitely find time to inspect not only the capital, but also smaller cities.

It is one of the most visited countries due to its excellent service and suitable weather conditions. More often than others, tourists come here from various, which is explained by the geographic location of the country and the convenience of visiting.

The best conditions for recreation are observed in Ibiza and other popular southern resorts. The unique combination of sea, clean beaches, colorful local cuisine and a large number of attractions guarantees a high demand for trips to Spain.

Ibiza - a holiday every day

Various festivals of club electronic music are often held in Ibiza, which attracts young people from both neighboring European countries and other countries.

It is impossible to leave Italy without trying the original local dishes prepared in accordance with all the rules and traditions.

In addition, only here you can appreciate the greatness of the Colosseum with your own eyes, take pictures near the Leaning Tower of Pisa and admire the beauty of the mountainous regions of this country. Shopping lovers will surely enjoy a vacation here, as in Milan you can buy a lot of exclusive and unique items of the world's leading fashion brands.

Beach lovers are best off in Sicily. There they will be able to count on:

excellent weather;
high quality hotel service;
clean beaches and sea;
delicious cuisine.

For sightseeing, it is better to go to Rome, and for shopping, of course, to Milan. Thanks to such a tempting combination, this destination is popular even among experienced travelers. The best option would be to visit several cities in turn, which will allow you to get the most out of your trip.

An experienced traveler tries to choose an interesting and original place for each new trip, but everyone was once a beginner. When I first started traveling, like most ordinary tourists, first of all I visited those countries about which I heard and knew the most. So what are the most visited countries today? Where do the crowds of tourists flock?

No. 10. Mexico - 29.1 million visitors a year

Mexico ranks 10th in the ranking of the most visited countries in the world. In the ranking of the countries of the continent of America, Mexico is the second most visited country after the United States, even ahead of Canada! The number of visitors to Mexico per year is higher than the number of visitors in the entire Caribbean (22.8 million people per year). The most visited region in Mexico is the Yucatan Peninsula. People come here for gorgeous beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, lush rainforest and bustling nightlife.

No. 9. Russia - 29.8 million visitors a year

In recent years, Russia has been in the top 10 most visited countries in the world, only slightly behind the UK. There are 26 sites in Russia that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lake Baikal, volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka, the Black Sea coast, the snowy mountains of Altai are just a few of the thousands of famous places to visit.

Russia is rich not only in natural objects, but also in cultural attractions. The main cultural centers - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Novgorod, Kazan and others - are famous for their numerous churches, museums, historical buildings, theaters, palaces, defensive structures and other objects with a rich centuries-old history.
The popularity of Russia as a country to visit is growing every year. About a million people in the Russian Federation work in the tourism sector.

No. 8. UK - 32.6 million visitors a year

The tourism business annually brings to the state treasury $ 17.2 billion. Most of the UK tourists are Europeans, the second largest group of tourists arriving in the UK from the USA and Canada. London is the most visited city in the United Kingdom and the Tower is the most visited place.

No. 7. Germany - 33.0 million visitors per year

Germany is considered one of the safest tourist destinations in the world. In Germany, tourism is developed both for its own citizens and for foreigners. According to statistics, 30% of Germans prefer to relax in the country.

In Germany, 2 million people work in the tourism sector, and the share of tourism in the country's GDP is 4.5%. The cultural tourist centers of Germany are Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, they are also the most visited cities in the country. The most famous natural attractions in Germany are: Saxon Switzerland National Park, Pomeranian Lagoons National Park, Jasmund National Park. These parks are visited by millions of tourists every year.

No. 6. Turkey - 39.8 million visitors a year

Turkey is in 6th place in terms of attendance. This country is known for its rich cultural heritage and ethnic diversity. Turkey has a large number of historical, cultural and archaeological sites, and in addition to this, enchanting seaside resorts on the coasts of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Istanbul is the most visited city in Turkey.

In 2015, the Turkish tourism industry suffered losses due to a number of accidents associated with the actions of terrorist groups. Turkey has lost a third of the entire flow of tourists.

No. 5. Italy - 48.6 million visitors a year

To visit Italy is a dream of many people. 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, countless cultural artifacts, Roman and Renaissance archaeological sites, the Mediterranean coast and more! Italy is rightfully ranked 5th in terms of attendance.

The most visited cities in Italy: Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan. 48.6 million tourists annually bring huge amounts of money to the country's treasury.

No. 4. China - 55.6 million visitors a year

The Great Wall of China, Sacred Mountains of China, Shaolin Monastery, Huanggoshu Falls, Forbidden City, Three Gorges Power Station and many other attractions make China one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. According to the World Trade Organization, by 2020, China will rank first in the world among countries in terms of attendance.

Number 3. Spain - 65.0 million visitors per year

Tourism is the main industry in Spain. The share of tourism is 11% of the country's GDP. People go to Spain to visit Barcelona and Madrid, to the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea, to take part in Carnivals and Ensierro (a Spanish national custom consisting in running away from bulls, cows or calves specially released from the corral).

15 national parks attract nature lovers. Spain is also famous for its ski resorts. 13 Spanish cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and attract tourists from all over the world.

# 2. USA - 74.8 million visitors a year

The huge country of the USA can surprise both beginners and experienced travelers. In cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the flow of tourists does not stop all year round. From the natural attractions of the United States: the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, the wonderful landscapes of Alaska, the beaches of Hawaii and much more. In 29 states of the United States, tourism is the main industry that brings big money to the treasury.

In the United States, the largest flows of tourists come from Mexico, Canada, and the UK. According to statistics, by 2025 the United States will earn $ 2.5 trillion. US dollars on tourism.

# 1. France - 83.7 million visitors a year

Most people are attracted by the local flavor and special atmosphere, in addition, France is famous for its exquisite cuisine and wines.

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world thanks to the Eiffel Tower. Besides Paris, people travel to Lyon, Strasbourg and other cities. France is famous for its gorgeous ski resorts, alpine mountains, beaches, picturesque French villages, beautiful gardens and parks, and more.

Butsenko I.N., Timchenko V.A.
Institute of Economics and Management "Crimean Federal University named after V. I. Vernadsky", Simferopol

Butsenko I.N., Timchenko V.A.
Institute of Economics and Management V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Simferopol

Annotation:international tourism has become one of the largest and most profitable sectors of the world economy. International tourism has acquired a global character and has a significant impact on the national economies of many countries of the world. The article presents the dynamics of international tourist arrivals in the context of regions and income from international tourism in the context of 10 leading countries in the period from 1990-2016. The main risks that hinder the development of international tourism are highlighted.

Abstract:international tourism is becoming one of the biggest and most profitable sectors in the world economy. It acquired global character and has big influence for national economies of many countries in the world. The article reflects dynamics of international tourists' arrivals in sections of regions as well as revenues from international tourism based on top-ten countries example in the period from 1990 to 2016. In the work are highlighted the risks, which prevent international tourism development.

Keywords:international tourism, international tourist arrivals, UNWTO, international tourism revenues.

Keywords:international tourism, international tourists' arrivals, UNWTO, international tourism income.

Today, international tourism is transforming previously closed societies into open universal societies, where contacts between people from different countries are becoming an everyday reality, which satisfies the needs of people to meet and exchange with other cultures. It is undeniable that tourism is one of the most influential phenomena in the economic and social development of our society. The most characteristic trends in the development of international tourism are: diversification of the tourist product, the search for new tourist destinations, a reduction in the average duration of tourist trips, the choice of alternative means of accommodation and transport, pricing policy.

The study of the structure, state and role of international tourism in general for the economy of a particular country in the world is devoted to the work of many scientists, in particular: V. Brich, S. Kramarchuk; Butsenko I. N.; E. A. Vorontsova; Zaitseva V.M., Kornienko O.M .; E. L. Pisarevsky; Fedorchenko V.K. and others.

As a type of economic activity, international tourism was formed relatively recently, in the second half of the twentieth century. The formation of this type of activity was facilitated by a fairly large number of factors, including: a decrease in prices for fuels and lubricants; the emergence of relatively cheap air travel due to lower prices for fuels and lubricants; the trend towards urbanization of the population; reduction in the number of workers and, accordingly, an increase in the amount of free time, etc.

Today 155 countries out of 195 countries of the world are involved in tourism. The dynamics of international tourist arrivals is shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 1 - Dynamics of international tourist arrivals, 1990-2016, million people

According to UNWTO, in 2015 the number of international tourist arrivals increased by 4.4% or by 50 million tourists, amounting to 1,184 million people, and in 2016 increased by 3.9% or by 51 million tourists, amounting to 1235 million people.

For the development of international tourism, the WTO identifies 6 tourist regions of the world: Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, South Asia, America, the Middle East, Africa. UNWTO Statistics, International Tourist Arrivals 1990-2016 in the context of tourist regions, indicate a steady growth dynamics of international tourist arrivals (Table 1).

Table 1

International tourist arrivals by regions of the world, 1990-2016, million people

Region	1990 year	1995 year	2000 year	2005 year	2010	2015 g.	2016 Nov.
World	435	527	674	809	951	1189	1235
Europe	261,5	304,5	386,6	453,2	489,4	607,7	619,7
Asia and Pacific. reg.	55,9	82,1	110,4	154	205,5	279,2
America	92,8	108,9	128,2	133,3	150,2	192,6	200,9
Africa	14,8	18,7	26,2	34,8	50,4	53,5	58,2
Near East	9,6	12,7	22,4	33,7	54,7	53,3

Source: compiled on the basis of

In terms of the number of international tourist arrivals, the first place is taken by the European region (619.7 million people - 2016), the second place is taken by the Asia-Pacific region (302.9 million people - 2016) and closes the three leaders of the American tourist region (200.9 million people - 2016). For the period from 1990 to 2016. The African and Middle East regions have an unstable momentum.

In 2016, the Asia-Pacific region recorded the highest growth in international arrivals (23.7 million arrivals) compared to other regions of the world. Southeast Asia and Oceania grew by 10%, while arrivals in Northeast Asia increased by 8% and in South Asia by 7%.

In the Americas, all four subregions saw significant growth in 2016, with Central and South America leading the way. The increase in arrivals in the Caribbean and North America has been boosted by long-term, sustained demand for outbound tourism from the United States.

In the context of globalization, international tourism has become one of the largest and most profitable sectors of the world economy, has acquired a global character and has a significant impact on the national economies of many countries of the world. In addition, tourism is a powerful global industry, which forms up to 10% of the world's gross product, the most important export industry, an area of \u200b\u200blarge investments, attracting millions of workers of various professions and qualifications. International tourism as a sphere of economic and entrepreneurial activity, trade and exchange, information and intercultural communication is an area where the specificity and scale of modern processes and trends of globalization are clearly manifested.

“On the one hand, globalization contributes to the development of tourism, as it facilitates and simplifies international travel: it is easier for foreign tourists to cross national borders, find familiar brands of hotels and restaurants, and communicate while traveling around the world. On the other hand, tourism contributes to globalization, as millions of travelers make our world smaller, turning it into a 'global village', spreading mass tourism culture. "

Analyzing the dynamics of income of the leading countries from international tourism from 1995 to 2015, the following can be distinguished (Table 2):

- the total share of leading countries in terms of income from international tourism is stable, since 2000 there has been a slight decline of 5.89%, and since 2010 - on the contrary, an increase of 4.33%;

- the share of China's participation has been steadily increasing from 1995 to 2015 by 2.38% or 47.8 billion US dollars, as well as positive dynamics in Spain, Hong Kong and Macau;

- the main leader in terms of income from international tourism during the presented period is the United States;

- in 2015, after the United States, Spain ranks second in terms of income from international tourism, and China is third;

- negative dynamics in income is observed in the following countries: Great Britain (decrease by 1.33% by 2015), Italy (by 3.79%) and Germany (by 1.41%).

table 2

International tourism revenues, 1990-2015, US $ billion

The country	1995 year	2000 year	2005 year	2010	2015 g.
World	415	495	703	966	1260
USA	74,8	100,2	101,5	137,0	204,5
Spain	25,5	30,9	49,7	54,6	114,1
China	8,7	16,2	29,3	45,8	56,5
France	27,4	33,0	44,0	47,0	45,9
Great Britain	20,5	21,9	30,7	32,4	45,5
Thailand	8,0	7,5	9,6	20,0	44,6
Italy	28,7	27,5	35,4	38,8	39,4
Germany	18,0	18,7	29,2	34,7	36,9
Hong Kong (China)	7,8	5,9	10,3	22,2	36,2
Macau (China)	3,1	3,2	7,9	27,8	31,3

The most striking changes in the international tourism market are manifested in the ranking of the leading countries in tourism development. Fig. 7.2.1 it is seen that in recent years, a number of countries in Europe and America, which have been leaders in the number of tourist arrivals for a long time, have not only reduced their growth rates, but also noted a stabilization and even a slight decrease in the number of tourist arrivals(France, USA, Spain, Italy, UK). While rapidly growing Asian tourist destinations are showing tremendous success and are beginning to dominate the world in terms of tourist arrivals.

Fig. 7.2.1. Leading countries in international tourist arrivals, million arrivals A source,

Particularly impressive are the successes of China and Turkey, which continue to rapidly increase the darkness of international tourist arrivals. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the number of tourist arrivals to China has grown by 1.8 times, to Malaysia by 2.5 times, and to Turkey by 3.7 times. All these developing countries have become firmly established among the world leaders in tourism development. The UNWTO forecast foresees that by 2020, China can become the absolute leader in the number of tourist arrivals in the world.According to UNWTO statistics, in 2012 the number of tourist arrivals to this country exceeded 57.7 million, which allows it to firmly hold its place in the top three world leaders (table 7.2.1).

Table 7.2.1

Leading countries in international tourist arrivals (million arrivals)


1. France


4. Spain


7. Germany
8.United Kingdom
9. Russian Federation
10. Malaysia

A source

If we compare the leading countries in terms of the number of tourist arrivals per 100 inhabitants of the country (table 7.2.2), then fundamental differences between them become noticeable in the degree of pressure exerted by the tourism industry on their nature, infrastructure, economy, etc. So, if for France this figure in 2012 was about 131 arrivals, for Spain - 125, for Malaysia - 86, for Italy - 77, then for the UK - 48, Germany and Turkey - 37, the USA - 21, and for China - only 4 arrivals per 100 inhabitants. Many, primarily developing countries, still have significant opportunities to further increase the volume of tourist flows. China's tourism development opportunities are especially significant. However, in a number of small countries and in countries where tourism has been developing for a long time and on a large scale, we can already talk about reaching the limit of the country's tourism opportunities (Fig. 7.2.2). [Nikolaenko, 2001).

The situation with the distribution of receipts from international tourism by country looks somewhat different (Fig. 7.2.3, Table 7.2.3).

International tourism receipts have traditionally been concentrated in the developed countries of Europe and North America (Figure 7.1.3). The list of the most profitable tourist destinations continues to be led by the United States, leading by an increasing margin. The tourism industry in Spain, France, Italy and Germany brings significant income. Of particular note is China, which has increased its tourism receipts by more than 20 times over the past two decades and is already poised to squeeze France into third place. Huge revenues from tourism are received by the very small Hong Kong and Macau, which have made tourism an industry of their specialization.

Table 7.2.2

Indicators characterizing the development of tourism in the leading countries

	Tourist arrivals (million), 2012	Country's share of total arrivals in the world (%)	Population of countries (million people), 2012	Share of the country in the total population in the world (%)	Tourist arrivals per 100 inhabitants, 2012
1. France


4. Spain


7. Germany
8.United Kingdom
9. Russian Federation
10. Malaysia

A source: UNWTO statistics

Fig. 7.2.2.

Table 7.23

Leading Countries in International Tourism Revenues (USD Billion)



2. Spain
3. France

5. Macau (China)

7. Germany
8.United Kingdom
9. Hong Kong (China)
10. Australia

A source: UNWTO statistics.

Fig. 7.2.3. Countries with the largest receipts from international tourism, (billion shares.) A source-, statistical materials UNWTO.

Since the beginning of the period of massive development of tourism, receipts from this type of activity have grown by an average of 7% per year. But at the end of the 20th century, and especially after 2008, the growth rate of tourism receipts dropped significantly. Tourism receipts are now growing at a pace lagging behind tourist arrivals, even leading to a decline in travel receipts. To clarify the specifics of tourism development in the leading countries, we can consider the indicator of receipts from tourism per 1 arrival (table 7.2.4).

Receipts per 1 arrival by leading countries (USD)

Table 7.2.4

A source: statistical materials UNWTO.

An analysis of the dynamics of this indicator shows that in European countries - developed tourist destinations such as Spain, Italy, Germany - receipts per arrival are decreasing, and in Asian countries, primarily in China and its parts, it is growing. This is largely due to current trends in consumer demand and changes in the nature of the tourism product provided.

The relatively low rate of receipts per arrival in France is always noteworthy. Despite the fact that France remains the world leader in the number of tourist arrivals, for many tourists it is either a transit country in which they do not leave much money, or a country where residents of neighboring European countries come for a short time and also do not spend a lot.

Tourism revenues are largely related to the length of stay of tourists in the country. Globally, there is a decrease in the duration of tourist trips, but this figure varies greatly across countries and regions. Thus, the average length of stay of tourists in Australia is 27 days, which explains the very high rate of receipts per arrival in this country. In European countries, the average length of stay of tourists usually does not exceed a week, more often even less. The high rate of income per arrival in Macau with very short length of stay is due to the region's specialization in the gambling business.

To characterize the place of the country in the international tourist market, it is necessary to consider indicators characterizing outbound tourist flows and expenditures on international tourism (Table 7.2.5, Fig. 7.2.4).

Table 7.2.5

Countries with the highest spending on international tourism ($ billion)