Best Country for Tourism? It Depends—But Here Are the Top 10 (2019)

There's no single "best" country—travel is deeply personal. But by international tourist arrivals (UNWTO, 2019), the top 10 destinations were:

1. France — 90M+ (Paris, Provence, Riviera, Alps, châteaux, cuisine)
2. Spain — 83M+ (Barcelona, Madrid, Andalusia, Balearics, Canaries, tapas)
3. United States — 79M+ (NParks, cities, coasts, diversity, scale)
4. China — 65M+ (Great Wall, Forbidden City, Yangtze, Guilin, megacities)
5. Italy — 64M+ (Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi, Dolomites, food, art)
6. Turkey — 51M+ (Istanbul, Cappadocia, Turquoise Coast, Ephesus, value)
7. Mexico — 45M+ (Cancún, CDMX, Oaxaca, ruins, beaches, culture, food)
8. Germany — 39M+ (Berlin, Munich, Romantic Road, Alps, castles, beer)
9. United Kingdom — 39M+ (London, Edinburgh, Highlands, history, pubs)
10. Thailand — 39M+ (Bangkok, islands, temples, food, affordability)

What Makes a Country "Best" for YOU?

• Nature: New Zealand, Iceland, Costa Rica, Canada, Norway
• History/Culture: Egypt, Greece, Peru, Japan, Iran, Turkey
• Adventure: Nepal, Patagonia (AR/CL), Bhutan, Kenya, Switzerland
• Beaches: Maldives, Philippines, Australia, Brazil, Seychelles
• Food: Japan, Italy, Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, France, Peru
• Value: Vietnam, Portugal, Bolivia, Georgia, Indonesia, Egypt
• Safety/Ease: Japan, Singapore, Denmark, Slovenia, UAE, Canada

The best country is the one that matches your interests, budget, time, and travel style. Research, reflect, and go where your curiosity leads.