Number of inbound tourist arrivals in selected European destinations 2019-2023

The number of international tourist arrivals to the selected European destinations increased significantly in 2023 over the previous year, experiencing strong signs of recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in some cases even surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Overall, Paris and the Île-de-France region recorded the highest figure among the selected destinations in 2023, with around 21.6 million inbound tourist arrivals. London and Istanbul followed in the ranking that year, with roughly 20.3 million and 17.4 million arrivals, respectively.

What are the most visited countries by international tourists?

Both before and after the health crisis, France was the country with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide. In 2023, inbound arrivals to France reached 100 million, the highest figure reported by the country to date. Meanwhile, the United States, which ranked third by inbound arrivals that year, was the country with the highest international tourism receipts worldwide. 

Has inbound tourism recovered from the impact of COVID-19?

While the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide grew sharply in 2023 compared to the previous year, it remained approximately 11 percent lower than in 2019. Overall, the total contribution of travel and tourism to the global GDP was four percent below pre-pandemic levels in 2023.