Indian Outbound Tourists Spent US$ 33.3 Billion in 2023
India emerged as 8th top spender while China recovers its position as top spenders in 2023
India has improved its rank to 8th spot as among the top spender list issued by the UN Tourism. Indians spent US$ 33.3 billion in 2023 compared to US$ 25.9 billion 2022, US$ 14.3 billion in 2021 and US$ 22.9 billion in 2019.
Meanwhile, China has recovered its position as top spender on international tourism in 2023 as Asia and the Pacific consolidates its recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. In 2022, the list of top spenders was headed by the United States. France, Spain and USA took the top spots for most-visited destinations.
Chinese expenditure on travel abroad reached US$ 196.5 billion in 2023, ahead of the United States (US$ 150 billion), Germany (US$ 112 billion), the United Kingdom (US$ 110 billion) and France (US$ 49 billion). Making up the top ten spenders for 2023 are Canada, Italy, India, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea. India jumped to 8th place, from 14th in 2019, confirming the growing importance of the country as a source market, while Italy rose from 10th to 7th position.
Top in arrivals and receipts: France, Spain and USA consolidate their positions
France consolidated its position as the world’s most visited destination in 2023 with 100 million international tourist arrivals. Spain was second with 85 million, followed by the United States (66 million), Italy (57 million) and Türkiye, which closed the top five with 55 million international tourists.
Completing the top ten most visited destinations in 2023 are Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece and Austria. Compared to before the pandemic, Italy, Türkiye, Mexico, Germany and Austria all rose one position, while the United Kingdom rose from 10th to 7th and Greece from 13th to 9th.
On the side on international tourism receipts, the ranking is led by the United States, earning US$176 billion in 2023, followed by Spain (US$ 92 billion), the United Kingdom (US$ 74 billion), France (US$ 69 billion) and Italy (US$ 56 billion).
Looking ahead to a full recovery globally in 2024
As per the latest World Tourism Barometer, in 2023 international tourist arrivals recovered 89% of 2019 levels and 97% in Q1 2024. UN Tourism’s projection for 2024 points to a full recovery of international tourism with arrivals growing 2% above 2019 levels, backed by strong demand, enhanced air connectivity and the continued recovery of China and other major Asian markets. Total export revenues from international tourism, including both receipts and passenger transport, reached an estimated US$ 1.7 trillion in 2023, about 96% of pre-pandemic levels in real terms. Tourism direct GDP recovered pre-pandemic levels in 2023, reaching an estimated US$ 3.3 trillion, equivalent to 3% of global GDP.
