The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has published the UNWTO Tourism Review 2018 report. It is a world tourism barometer and looks at tourism trends around the world. Among other things, UNWTO monitors the growth and decline in tourism activity in different countries and regions of the world.

The most popular global tourism destinations

Two regions showed the greatest tourist growth - Africa, by 9% and Europe, by 8%. At the same time, more than half of the tourists from the global international flow (671 million people) rushed to Europe, while Africa received less than one tenth of this figure - only 63 million tourists visited there.

All the Nordic countries, including the UK, reported an increase in tourist traffic. Travelers who want to enjoy the beauties of Foggy Albion are not even deterred by the terrorist attacks in London and Manchester last year. The weakening of the British pound significantly helped the entry of England into the top ten most popular countries for tourism.

Although many children, as well as their parents, are still afraid to go "to Africa for a walk", the UNWTO study notes a steady increase in tourism in most African destinations that reported their data. For example, in Tunisia, the number of traveler arrivals was 23% higher than in 2017. And sub-Saharan countries are doing well big cities Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritius and Zimbabwe. And the most popular island destinations in Africa are Seychelles, Cape Verde and Reunion.

Top 10 most popular countries for tourism

The main mode of transport for all major tourist destinations were aircraft(57%), then cars (37%), water transport(4%) and railway (total 2%).

The majority of tourists (55%) named leisure as the purpose of visiting another country. Business accounted for only 13% of trips. The purpose of other visits was either not specified or related to reasons such as visiting relatives or observing religious customs.

Interesting Facts:

• According to the report, the total volume of international tourist trips increased by 6.8 percent to 1.32 billion people in 2017. This is the highest number since 2009 and 84 million more than in 2016. And all thanks to the rapid global economic recovery.
• Recovery in demand for tourism from Brazilians and Russian Federation after several years of recession, and the continued growth of India's economy has also contributed to higher profits for many popular tourist destinations.
• Spending on international tourism in 2017 amounted to 1.34 trillion. dollars due to strong outbound demand from both traditional and emerging markets. Nearly 40% of this amount comes from the expenses of those who traveled around Europe last year. They are followed by the Asia-Pacific region (29% of total spending) and the Americas (24%).
• Who is spending all this money? The UNWTO report said that Chinese tourists spent almost a fifth of the 1.34 trillion. dollars - 258 billion dollars. But American travelers were more economical and took only second place, spending $ 135 billion in 2017. The Russians also entered the top ten spenders (+ 30%), ahead of the South Koreans and Italians, but behind the Canadians, Germans, British, Australians and French.

The vast majority of international travel occurs within the travelers' own regions (intra-regional tourism). Europe remains the world's largest source of outbound tourism. It generates nearly half of the world's international arrivals. But the Asia-Pacific region is catching up. Currently, one in 4 trips takes place within Asia and the Pacific.

Travelers should know that different tourist destinations are popular at different times of the year, and this is due, of course, to the climate in a particular country. Few people want to go to Thailand during the rainy season or relax on the beaches of Turkey in winter. You should understand which countries are most popular in different seasons.

Know popular tourist destinations you need not only to choose the right resort at the peak of the season. This information is also useful for those who like relaxing holiday without crowds of tourists. So, let's take a closer look at each season.

Popular tourist destinations in summer

Summer is the period of holidays and the peak of the tourist season in the resorts of the Black and mediterranean seas. That is why it is especially relevant at this time beach holiday, which becomes cheaper and more accessible with the onset of heat. Resorts are especially popular among Russians. , . The thing is that in these resorts the rest is quite low prices.

Popular tourist destinations in summer period The following countries need to be identified: , Indonesia, Australia, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Greece, Jordan and as well as various exotic islands.

In addition to the beach, summer is relevant and sightseeing vacation , although it is not as popular as in autumn and spring, due to the fact that in Europe, the center of sightseeing tourism, it is hot at this time, which is not very conducive to sightseeing. In summer, the most popular excursions on the Scandinavian Peninsula are in Norway, Finland, as well as in Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, France. In Egypt, Jordan, China, Italy It is customary to combine beach and sightseeing holidays.

Popular tourist destinations in autumn

beach holiday in early autumn, it practically does not differ from summer - all the same resorts of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean continue to work. Until September you can go to Crimea, Bulgaria, Turkey, Morocco. Even in October you can relax in Greece, Spain, Italy. Of course, resorts continue to operate Egypt, which are becoming more popular than in summer due to the fact that the heat subsides in this country. In autumn you can visit Bali, Australia,. Tourist season opens , . All autumn you can travel on , Maldives.

Popular at this time of the year tours in those countries where the beach season is coming to an end. This, of course, , and Turkey- keepers of ancient monuments. Since it is not so hot in Egypt, excursions to the places of antiquities are gaining momentum. Other excursion destinations in autumn - , China,.

Popular tourist destinations in winter

Winter is the time when you most want to go to the sea, because the weather is not happy. The Black Sea and Mediterranean resorts have long been closed, it is cold in Europe, so they are most popular for beach holiday exotic countries. In winter they often travel to Africa - to Egypt, South Africa. The tourist season opens in the Caribbean - on and in Dominican Republic . One of the most economical options for relaxing by the sea is Thailand. Popular tourist destinations in winter are United Arab Emirates, Maldives, China, Seychelles. Winter is the tourist season in. is one of the cheapest resorts at this time.

As far as Europe is concerned, the winter months are a great time for sightseeing holiday in its central and southern parts, where at this time the weather is optimal for such trips. Popular tourist destinations for excursions - Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Czech Republic. Also, travelers often go to Finland and Norway. Tours are in demand China.

Winter is a holiday for lovers ski holidays. It is at this time that they begin to work mountain resorts Europe. Popular tourist destinations in this area are - Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Norway, Bulgaria,.

Popular travel destinations in spring

Very popular in spring excursion routes in Europe. The countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula are often chosen for travel, cruises with sightseeing are often arranged Norway, Finland, Sweden. In the south of Europe, the beach season has not yet begun, which means that sightseeing holidays are most popular in these countries. For this purpose it is worth visiting Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece. At the end of spring it will be possible to swim here. From European countries the sights of France and the Czech Republic attract the most, travel to China and.

beach holiday in spring it is in demand, because during the winter everyone yearned for the sea and the sun. In March and April, the tourist season in the Caribbean still lasts - in and in Cuba. Among the economical options, it is worth highlighting Egypt and Goa, among the more expensive ones - Mexico, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles. Popular tourist destinations in the field of beach holidays are , Jordan, South Africa, Canary Islands, Bali, Thailand, and etc.

still working in the spring ski resorts , however, they become less in comparison with the winter period. Trails are popular with tourists France, Austria and Andorra.

In 2016, Cuban beaches, the Blue Lagoon, which spread its beauties in Iceland, and many other tourist destinations that have already been literally “trampled” by vacationers, were especially popular among millions of tourists. Undoubtedly, each of us wants to spend his long-awaited vacation in a place that will allow you to fully enjoy completely new sensations and emotions.

In this article, the reader will be able to get acquainted with the countries that are in special demand in 2017 and, of course, their cities, each of which is unusual and beautiful in its own way.

Indonesia

Indonesia is an ideal solution for those who dream of getting into an exotic, incredibly colorful fairy tale. Here, every tourist can find absolutely everything that his soul desires. This is a country that is famous for its landscapes, preserved in their original form.

In order to characterize Indonesia, one word is enough - "exotic". Its quantity and variety will not leave indifferent even the most demanding tourist. Of course, how can one forget about Buddhist temples, alluring with their holiness and mystery, volcanoes that excite the blood and arouse interest, tropical jungles, ancient sights and snow-white sandy beaches.

Without a doubt, it can be argued that a vacation in this bright and colorful country is like an unreal dream, in which the sound of the waves of the Indian Ocean is heard and in which everything is literally saturated with bliss and harmony. The most important thing is that both a budget tourist looking for adventure and unrealistic emotions and a wealthy guest accustomed to luxury and comfort can relax here.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom - Island state, which could accommodate incredibly colorful and picturesque regions - Wales, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Each of them has its own unique unsurpassed appearance, beautiful nature and centuries-old traditions.

A trip to this country will be a great solution for those tourists who want to experience the British atmosphere and comfort. Moreover, she is ready to provide each of her guests with the opportunity to get acquainted not only with her modern side but also with its ancient traditions. Great Britain is a country of informative, rich and active pastime.

Italy

It is not surprising that this year Italy is one of the top destinations among the most popular tourist destinations. After all, she never ceases to amaze and captivate the eye with her incredibly beautiful nature, landscape diversity, ancient architectural monuments, breathing" mystery and centuries-old mystery.

It is also impossible to ignore the olive groves, the majestic peaks of the Alps, sandy beaches, "crystal" lakes and stunning islands. Italy is a country that has the world's architectural wealth and which has become the birthplace of the talent of many brilliant sculptors, composers and painters.

Here, every tourist can not only relax, but also get acquainted with the best world-famous masterpieces of the Renaissance, luxurious sculptures and wonderful statues.

Spain

Spain is a country of "eternal and bright holiday", visiting which every tourist can get unforgettable emotions and impressions. This is a place of various recreation. Here you can not only soak up the Spanish sunshine, lying on the white sand, but also visit many historical sites filled with an ancient and mysterious atmosphere.

Spain provides guests with ancient cities, modern fabulous resorts and many other ways to relax and enjoy life as much as possible. Undoubtedly, this is the country that every person must visit in order to feel all its greatness and Spanish passion.

Brazil

Brazil is an unexplored and such a distant country that attracts tourists with its vibrant nature and extraordinary atmosphere. Moreover, this perfect place for a winter vacation, because when a snowstorm rages outside our window, in Brazil the hot sun warms its guests.

And, of course, calling card countries are carnivals, which cannot be compared with any mass holidays of the whole world. Rhythmic music, bright and colorful outfits and passionate dances to the sound of drums will not leave any tourist indifferent. Brazil is a country that welcomes each of its guests with open arms, providing them with all the most bright colors life.

USA

The United States of America has attracted millions of tourists from time immemorial. And this is not at all surprising, since they were able to combine majestic skyscrapers, incredibly colorful landscapes, sandy beaches, historical architectural monuments and much more.

Undoubtedly, the United States seeks to visit the tourist who is looking for a gambling, emotional and crazy vacation. However, even the guest who is looking for solitude and harmony can have a great rest here.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a calm, beautiful and rich country that allows you to spend unforgettable vacation while enjoying modern and historical architectural beauties. It literally attracts tourists with its crystal clear lakes, majestic Alps and incredibly favorable atmosphere.

Without a doubt, we can say that having visited Switzerland once, one cannot help but fall in love with its landscapes. You will want to come back here again to walk through the most beautiful parks and fascinating museums and feel the ancient aristocratic atmosphere architectural masterpieces.

Greece

Greece is an incredibly mysterious and beautiful country, in the vastness of which ancient monuments proudly rise to the sky and sandy beaches gently shimmer under the sun's rays. Here you can enjoy the cheerful atmosphere of night parties that are organized in the open air.

In principle, it is worth coming to Greece at least to try the incredibly delicious and exquisite traditional dishes, the aftertaste of which, undoubtedly, will forever remain in the memory of even the most demanding gourmet.

Also, every tourist will be able to get acquainted with the beauty and grandeur of ancient temples and ruins, the historical path of which began in antiquity. In fact, Greece was able to combine the ancient architectural power and modern mentality, so here everyone will find something to do in order to usefully spend their time free from gray everyday life.

Finland

This year Finland is one of the most popular tourist countries. One of the reasons for this demand is considered to be its profitable and quite convenient geographical location in Europe. However, Finnish lands attract guests not only with this, but also with their unique historical architecture and many ancient sights.

Undoubtedly, Finland will be able to give every tourist a lot of extreme and pleasant emotions. After all, here you can enjoy ski holidays, go fishing with real Finnish professionals, visit the residence of Santa Claus, etc. This is the country where holidays will certainly not be boring and monotonous.

France

France is a romantic country that is literally created for those who appreciate the beauty of nature, the unsurpassed taste of expensive wine and secluded relaxation. Here majestic volcanoes, graceful mountains, ancient caves, beautiful parks and plains, calm rivers, numerous channels, harsh Atlantic rocks and azure Mediterranean bays.

Moreover, it has an incredibly rich culture and history. By visiting this majestic country, each of its guests will be able to get acquainted with the masterpieces of the great masters of sculpture, painting and architecture, which were created using a variety of styles in different eras. And, of course, only here you can feel the “taste note” of the best noble wines.

What to do if you want to go somewhere on vacation, and popular tourist routes Can't afford or just bored? It is worth expanding the boundaries and discovering new ones interesting places where you can go. Traveling to these countries will allow you not only to get out of your comfort zone, but also to look at the world in a completely different way. Here are 14 destinations that have just begun to gain popularity among tourists.

14 PHOTOS

1. Belgrade, Serbia.

The capital of Serbia is distinguished by its hospitality and special atmosphere; it's active interesting city with many attractions. Worth visiting: Belgrade Fortress, Belgrade palaces and the Nikola Tesla Museum.

2. Dakar, Senegal.

Dakar is the largest trade and tourist centre West Africa. The main attraction is the excellent sandy beaches with ideal conditions for surfing.

3. Baku, Azerbaijan.

Eastern city where modern architecture combined with colorful old buildings. You should definitely visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs - the former residence of the rulers of Shirvan and the Gobvustan Reserve, famous for its ancient rock paintings.

4. Stepantsminda, Caucasus Mountains

Stepantsminda is a small urban-type settlement located in an incredibly picturesque area, at the foot of majestic mountain Kazbek. In addition to relaxing outdoor recreation and hiking to the Gveleti waterfall, you can also visit historical monuments here.

5. Panama City, Panama

capital and most Big city Republic of Panama, as well as one of the oldest cities in Central America. To get better acquainted with the history and culture of the country, it is worth visiting old district San Felipe, rich in museums and architectural monuments of the colonial era.

6. Manila, Philippines

A modern metropolis that is famous for its beaches, an abundance of traditional Filipino restaurants and ample opportunities for shopping.

7. Tehran, Iran.

The capital of Iran, a booming city with a rich past. Most of all, ancient and modern architectural sights in Tehran deserve attention, such as the Golestan Palace, the Azadi Tower, the Tabiyat Bridge and much more.

8. Montevideo, Uruguay.

The capital of Uruguay, a city with a rich culture and an abundance of places to stay. Montevideo delights with a hospitable atmosphere, a bizarre mix architectural styles and, of course, white sandy beaches.

9. The coast of Montenegro.

Local resorts are known as the ideal place for budget vacation. The total length of all beaches in Montenegro is 73 km and almost all of them are located in bays, closed from waves and wind. In addition, local waters are popular with divers, because several ships from the times of the First and Second World Wars lie at the bottom near the coast. Nowhere else can you find such a high-quality and exciting holiday at such a low cost.

10. Mongolia.

A country of endless steppes, clear blue lakes, a country with an age-old culture and well-established unshakable traditions. Many here still live in yurts and are always ready to show hospitality to tourists who want to get to know this amazing country. From entertainment: bright festivals, trips to natural and historical attractions.

11. Faroe islands.

The Faroe Islands have a capricious climate, beautiful nature and a completely unique culture. This is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy the peace and tranquility.

12. Yangon, Myanmar. 13. Chennai and Pondicherry, India.

Chennai - amazing city with rich history, traditional temples and many monuments of the colonial era. Pondicherry is a promising resort town with beautiful beaches which is especially popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

14. Nosy Mangabe Island, Madagascar.

A small island near Madagascar, where you can relax in a cozy bungalow on a picturesque seashore. In addition to the paradise nature, there is also a unique fauna here - some animal species are not found in any other country.

Moscow, October 25 - “Vesti. Economy". Cond∎ Nast Traveler magazine published its annual Readers' Choice Awards, which voted on the best travel destinations in the world based on readers' votes. The rating is based on feedback from more than 128,000 readers, this is the highest level of reader participation in the history of the magazine. Below are 20 20. Morocco

Tourism is a very important source of income for Morocco, as well as the main area of ​​employment for Moroccans. The main center of attraction for tourists is Marrakech. The development of tourism in Morocco contributes geographical position countries, developed infrastructure and relatively low prices due to the devaluation of the Moroccan dirham. Morocco has an extensive road network and railways, which connects major cities with ports and international airports. In the south of Spain, due to the proximity to Morocco, 1-3-day tours to Morocco are widespread, cruise ships call at the Moroccan ports of Casablanca and Tangier. After the establishment of air links between Morocco and Algeria, shopping tours and guest trips to Morocco became widespread in Algeria. 19. Canada

The United States is the only neighboring country to Canada. Since it is a populous and wealthy country, it is normal that it supplies the largest number of tourists to Canada. There are all conditions for hiking, skiing, rafting and fishing, as the nature here is truly unique. 18. Japan

This country has many centuries of formation of its culture. A feature of the culture of Japan is a combination of its traditions with some elements cultural heritage China and Korea, which makes the country even more attractive. At present, Japan is a country of "high technologies" with huge skyscrapers, developed entertainment and recreation infrastructure. At the same time, the Japanese honor the traditions of their ancestors, which is reflected in the architecture and celebrations. 17. Ireland

Tourism in the Republic of Ireland is one of the important sectors of the economy, with more than 6.2 million tourists visiting the country every year, which is about 1.4 times the number of Ireland's own population. Most of the tourists visiting Ireland come from the UK, USA, Germany and France. 16. Portugal

Portugal has a rich historical heritage, excellent wines and cuisine (both sea and meat), excellent hotels with first-class service, low crime, a warm temperate climate and a variety of types of recreation offered. Beachgoers, history buffs, scuba divers, nightlife lovers and just lovers of good food and drink will find a suitable place here. 15. Mexico

Tourism in Mexico is one of the most developed sectors of the economy. Mexico is one of the most visited countries in the world. The attractiveness of Mexico for tourists is due to a combination of many factors: a unique culture, including cultural festivals, cities with architecture from the time of the Spanish colonial rule, the ruins of ancient Mesoamerican cities, the presence of natural reserves and beach resorts combined with a favorable climate. 14. Netherlands

Tourism is an important economic sector in the Netherlands. The country is visited by approximately 10 million foreigners a year, primarily from Germany, Great Britain, the USA and Belgium. The Netherlands is part of the Schengen area. Tourists are attracted by the capital - Amsterdam, where there are not only rich cultural and historical monuments (Van Gogh Museum, State Museum Netherlands, the Rembrandt House Museum and the Anne Frank House), but also such "cult" places as De Wallen (red-light district) and coffee houses where cannabis and other soft drugs are freely sold, which is prohibited in other European countries. 13. Sri Lanka

Tourism in Sri Lanka is one of the most developed sectors of the economy, which is facilitated by the presence in the country of a large number of both historical and natural attractions. Historical sights are concentrated in the central part of the country, the so-called "Cultural Triangle". The "Cultural Triangle" is an area of ​​ancient, two thousand years of history of the Sinhalese kingdoms and empire, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya - new history, within the British Empire. 12. Vietnam

Tourism in Vietnam is an important part of the modern Vietnamese economy. The importance of tourism to the economy is growing. For hikers, beachgoers, nature lovers, cultural learners, Vietnam appears as a new destination in South-East Asia. Investors in hotel construction are attracted by the 3,000-kilometer coastline and large cities. Tourist offers are becoming more and more diverse. Tour operators offer tours of indigenous peoples, hiking, biking, kayaking, and multi-country tours, mainly in neighboring Cambodia and Laos. 11. South Africa South Africa is one of the most amazing countries Africa. Here, the local black population lives next door to immigrants from Europe, here you can see both antelopes and crocodiles and penguins, rich forests alternate with arid deserts, and two oceans meet off the coast of South Africa. In this country, you can observe the interweaving of different cultures, traditions and customs. Of course, the main attraction of South Africa is its nature. These are the beautiful mountains of the Veld and the Dragon Mountains, the Cape of Good Hope, famous for legends, National parks with amazing landscapes and much more. 10 India

India's rich history and culture, as well as its geographic diversity, makes its international tourism attractive. international tourism India, in addition to a rich heritage and cultural tourism, is also presented with medical, business and sports tourism. 9. Turkey

Tourism is one of the significant components in the Turkish economy, in recent decades it has played an increasingly important role. It employs about two million people. Turkey has all the prerequisites for the development of this service industry: it is washed by four seas (Mediterranean, Aegean, Marble and Black, the coast has a subtropical Mediterranean climate (length coastline is 7200 km, it has 355 beaches); 2870 hotels with 700 thousand beds, it ranks second in Europe and seventh in the world in terms of number thermal springs(1300); It has a large number of attractions (the ruins of ancient Greek and Roman cities, including the legendary Troy, monuments from the times of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires). A developed network of internal transport allows you to comfortably move to any point in the country. 8. Thailand

Tourism in Thailand is one of the main sectors of the country's economy. Today, the main resorts that specialize in mass tourism, are located on the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui, famous for their beaches from white sand, lagoons, waterfalls, coral reefs and coconut palms. The most famous beaches are: Chaweng, Lamai, Nathon, Bophut, Taling Ngam, Maenam, " Big Buddha”, Hua Thanon, Bang Po, Choeng Mon, Bang Kao and Lipa Noi. Increasingly popular Hua Hin located relatively close to Bangkok. 7. New Zealand

In general, the main countries whose citizens choose Australia as their holiday destination: New Zealand, Japan, UK, USA, China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Germany. Major foreign tourism destinations (in descending order) are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns. 5. Greece

Greece is visited by more than 20 million tourists annually, thus bringing about 15% of the gross domestic product of the entire country. Greece attracts foreign guests with its rich history and traditions from ancient times. But in recent decades, beach tourism has grown significantly. 4. USA Tourism in the USA is a major industry that provides services to millions of tourists every year, both from abroad and from within the United States. Tourists come to the USA to see cities, nature, historical monuments, as well as visit various attractions and places of entertainment. The same is interesting for the Americans themselves, who, among other things, often visit recreation areas. 3. Spain

Beach holidays are the main industry of tourism in Spain. It began to develop one of the first and still brings the greatest profit from all types of tourism in the country. The mild climate of the Spanish coasts and two archipelagos (Balearic Islands, Canary Islands) attracts primarily tourists from Northern Europe. In the summer months, resorts are in demand among the Spaniards themselves. Spain is a country rich in history and culture. On the territory of the country are preserved historical cities and settlements of various nationalities that previously lived on the Iberian Peninsula. The main tourist cities of Spain - Madrid and Barcelona - offer both historical and cultural routes, as well as a variety of entertainment, an extensive commercial sector, and training programs. Twelve historic cities are listed world heritage UNESCO: Alcala de Henares, Avila, Caceres, Cordoba, Cuenca, Ibiza, Salamanca, San Cristobal de la Laguna, Santiago de Compostela, Segovia, Tarragona, Toledo. There are a total of 44 World Heritage Sites in Spain, making Spain the second largest after Italy with 47 titles. 2. France

The tourist attraction of France is due to the large number of attractions for every taste, the variety of landscapes, the wealth of historical and artistic heritage, the temperate climate and ease of transport access, as well as the proper tourist services (hospitality, amusement parks) and transport infrastructure. Thus, each French department is a tourist department - with many of its own attractions. 1. Italy

The country that became the successor ancient rome, involves foreign tourists in an extraordinary journey to the ancient world. Italy - the cradle of European civilization - has preserved its past as best it could and invests millions of euros in the reconstruction of architectural monuments.