Europe, the world’s top tourism destination in 2023

Europe accounted for 54.5% of all international tourist arrivals in 2023 according to UN Tourism. The continent welcomed 700.4 million foreign arrivals, only 5.7% below the numbers of 2019. Within the continent, Southern/Mediterranean Europe had the largest share of international travellers with 307.4 million arrivals. Southern Europe was the best performer within the continent, surpassing 2019 numbers by 1.1%. Western Europe followed at only 2.9% below pre-pandemic levels.

UN Tourism indicates that several European countries surpassed 2019 levels in January-November 2023, with Albania at 49% more, Andorra at 31% higher, Iceland and Serbia at 15% higher, Portugal at 11% higher, Turkey at 7% higher, Greece at 4% higher (through October) and Spain at 1% higher. France virtually recovered its 2019 levels last year.

• 700.4 million international tourist arrivals to Europe in 2023
• The top performer is Albania with 49% more arrivals than in 2019