France, US most popular visitor countries
France remains No. 1 as the most visited country, followed by the US, China and Spain vying for third place.
So says the UN World Tourism Organization.
"France will remain number one," the secretary-general of the Madrid-based body, Taleb Rifai, told a news conference.
He said China decided a few years ago that tourism should be a pillar of its economy, and it worked. "The center of gravity is moving towards China, and Asia in general."
By 2020 China will be the world’s most visited country as well as the top source of foreign tourists, Rifai said.
France attracted 74.2 million visitors in 2009 followed by the United States with 54.9 million visitors and Spain 52.2 million, according to the UN tourism body. Its tourism rankings will be published in January.
Rifai said:
"2009 was the worst year ever in the last 60 years" for global tourism but the sector had bounced back this year and is expected to post growth in 2011 as well.
The UN body predicts international tourist arrivals will grow by five to six per cent in 2010 to between 920 and 930 million arrivals, and will increase by four per cent in 2011.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports