Tourism is shaped by who travels and how. In 2023, women outnumbered men in international travel by 52%, and 68% of tourists traveled with family. These traveler patterns influence demand across key destinations, while the page also examines economic impact—like $1.4 trillion in global revenue and 9.1% of global GDP—alongside environmental pressures, emissions, waste, and overtourism.
Key Takeaways
- 54% of global tourists were millennials or Gen Z in 2023.
- Female tourists outnumbered males by 52% in international travel in 2023.
- Average age of international tourists was 45 years in 2023.
- Global tourism revenue reached $1.4 trillion in 2023.
- Tourism contributed 9.1% to global GDP in 2023, totaling $10.6 trillion.
- France's tourism sector generated €68.5 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Tourism directly employed 319 million people globally in 2023.
- In Europe, tourism supported 27.1 million jobs in 2023.
- US tourism industry employed 9.1 million people in 2023.
- International tourists spent $1,907 on average per trip in 2023.
- Accommodation accounted for 24% of tourist spending globally.
- Food and beverage spending by tourists averaged 30% of budgets.
- 80% of global tourism emissions come from travel.
- Tourism contributes 8% to global CO2 emissions.
- 1.2 billion plastic bottles used by tourists yearly.
In 2023, tourism rebounded strongly with 1.3 billion arrivals, fueling $1.4 trillion in revenue and growing family travel.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics27 stats
01
54% of global tourists were millennials or Gen Z in 2023.
02
Female tourists outnumbered males by 52% in international travel in 2023.
03
Average age of international tourists was 45 years in 2023.
04
68% of tourists traveled with family in 2023.
05
US tourists made up 12% of global outbound travel in 2023.
06
Chinese outbound tourists numbered 130 million in 2023.
07
Europeans accounted for 50% of international arrivals in 2023.
08
42% of tourists were from urban areas in 2023.
09
Solo travelers increased to 25% of total tourists in 2023.
10
Families with children represented 22% of tourists in 2023.
11
Baby boomers (55+) were 28% of leisure tourists in 2023.
12
35% of tourists had higher education degrees in 2023.
13
Middle-income earners ($50k-$100k) were 40% of tourists.
14
LGBTQ+ travelers made up 10% of market in 2023.
15
Adventure-seeking tourists rose to 15% in 2023.
16
60% of tourists were repeat visitors in 2023.
17
Domestic tourists outnumbered internationals 4:1 globally.
18
Asia-Pacific tourists grew 15% YoY in demographics.
19
48% of tourists were first-time visitors to destinations.
20
Couples traveled 30% of leisure trips in 2023.
21
Gen X (44-59) represented 25% of tourists.
22
High-income tourists ($100k+) were 20% of total.
23
Rural origin tourists increased to 18% in 2023.
24
55% of tourists were employed full-time.
25
Students comprised 8% of international tourists.
26
Retirees were 12% of long-haul tourists.
27
Average tourist household size was 2.8 persons.
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
In the demographics of tourism in 2023, 54% of global tourists were millennials or Gen Z and 68% traveled with family, showing that younger travelers are strongly driving group family travel demand while the average international tourist age sits at 45.
02 · Category
Economic Impact30 stats
01
Global tourism revenue reached $1.4 trillion in 2023.
02
Tourism contributed 9.1% to global GDP in 2023, totaling $10.6 trillion.
03
France's tourism sector generated €68.5 billion in revenue in 2023.
04
Spain's tourism industry contributed €193 billion to GDP in 2023.
05
US tourism spending hit $1.1 trillion in 2023.
06
Italy's tourism revenue was €217 billion in 2023.
07
Turkey earned $54.3 billion from tourism in 2023.
08
Mexico's tourism receipts reached $30.8 billion in 2023.
09
UK's inbound tourism brought in £32.1 billion in 2023.
10
Germany's tourism generated €105 billion in 2023.
11
Thailand's tourism revenue was $43.3 billion in 2023.
12
UAE tourism contributed AED 136 billion to GDP in 2023.
13
Greece earned €20.1 billion from tourism in 2023.
14
Portugal's tourism sector added €25.3 billion in 2023.
15
Netherlands tourism revenue reached €95 billion in 2023.
16
Japan's inbound tourism spending was ¥5.3 trillion in 2023.
17
Canada's tourism generated CAD 105 billion in 2023.
18
Australia's tourism contributed AUD 64 billion in 2023.
19
Switzerland's tourism revenue was CHF 22 billion in 2023.
20
Croatia earned €10.3 billion from tourism in 2023.
21
Egypt's tourism receipts hit $13.6 billion in 2023.
22
Saudi Arabia's tourism revenue reached SAR 153 billion in 2023.
23
Vietnam earned $7.9 billion from tourism in 2023.
24
Indonesia's tourism receipts were $10.5 billion in 2023.
25
South Africa's tourism generated R120 billion in 2023.
26
New Zealand's tourism contributed NZD 41.9 billion in 2023.
27
Iceland's tourism revenue was ISK 300 billion in 2023.
28
Morocco earned $10.5 billion from tourism in 2023.
29
Hungary's tourism generated HUF 2.5 trillion in 2023.
30
Poland's tourism revenue reached PLN 80 billion in 2023.
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In 2023, tourism delivered a major economic boost worldwide with $1.4 trillion in revenue and $10.6 trillion in total GDP contribution, showing how the sector’s scale and reach drive significant economic impact across countries.
03 · Category
Employment30 stats
01
Tourism directly employed 319 million people globally in 2023.
02
In Europe, tourism supported 27.1 million jobs in 2023.
03
US tourism industry employed 9.1 million people in 2023.
04
Spain's tourism sector provided 2.7 million jobs in 2023.
05
France had 2.5 million tourism-related jobs in 2023.
06
Italy employed 1.4 million in tourism in 2023.
07
Thailand's tourism supported 5.8 million jobs in 2023.
08
Mexico's tourism industry had 4.3 million jobs in 2023.
09
UK's tourism employed 3.8 million people in 2023.
10
Germany's tourism sector created 3.5 million jobs in 2023.
11
Greece had 1.1 million tourism jobs in 2023.
12
Portugal employed 800,000 in tourism in 2023.
13
Netherlands tourism supported 700,000 jobs in 2023.
14
Japan's tourism industry had 5.1 million jobs in 2023.
15
Australia's tourism employed 666,000 people in 2023.
16
Canada's tourism sector had 1.8 million jobs in 2023.
17
Turkey employed 2.1 million in tourism in 2023.
18
UAE tourism created 1 million jobs in 2023.
19
Croatia had 300,000 tourism jobs in 2023.
20
Egypt's tourism employed 2.8 million in 2023.
21
Vietnam supported 6.3 million tourism jobs in 2023.
22
Indonesia had 13 million tourism-related jobs in 2023.
23
South Africa employed 1.5 million in tourism in 2023.
24
Saudi Arabia's tourism created 1.6 million jobs in 2023.
25
New Zealand had 318,000 tourism jobs in 2023.
26
Iceland employed 25% of workforce in tourism in 2023.
27
Morocco had 700,000 tourism jobs in 2023.
28
Hungary employed 400,000 in tourism in 2023.
29
Poland's tourism sector had 1.2 million jobs in 2023.
30
Switzerland supported 600,000 tourism jobs in 2023.
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
Tourism employment is massive worldwide, with 319 million jobs globally in 2023, and it is especially concentrated in Europe where tourism supported 27.1 million jobs that year.
More related reading
04 · Category
Spending Patterns28 stats
01
International tourists spent $1,907on average per trip in 2023.
02
Accommodation accounted for 24% of tourist spending globally.
03
Food and beverage spending by tourists averaged 30% of budgets.
04
US tourists spent $2,500per international trip in 2023.
05
Europeans spent €1,200 on average per trip.
06
Chinese tourists spent $1,000per trip on shopping.
07
Luxury tourists spent 5x more than average on experiences.
08
35% of spending went to transportation in 2023.
09
Domestic tourists spent $600 billion on travel in Europe.
10
Millennials spent 20% more on food experiences.
11
Airfare took 22% of total tourist budgets.
12
Shopping represented 15% of spending in Asia.
13
Average hotel spend per night was $150globally.
14
Car rentals cost tourists $50 billion annually.
15
Entertainment spending rose 12% to $200 per trip.
16
Sustainable tourism spending increased 25%.
17
Group tours spent 10% less per person.
18
Business tourists spent 1.5x more than leisure.
19
Beach destinations saw $300avg daily spend.
20
City breaks averaged $1,100total spend.
21
Adventure trips cost $2,000+ per person.
22
Solo travelers spent 30% more per capita.
23
Families spent 40% on child activities.
24
Cultural tourists allocated 18% to sites.
25
Eco-tourists paid 15% premium for green options.
26
Winter sports tourists spent $1,500per week.
27
Cruise passengers spent $250per port day.
28
Medical tourists spent $5,000avg per trip.
Interpretation
Spending Patterns Interpretation
In the spending patterns, international tourists averaged $1,907 per trip in 2023 while accommodation made up 24% of spending and food and beverage took 30%, showing tourists typically allocate a large share to core essentials before discretionary spend.
05 · Category
Sustainability22 stats
01
80% of global tourism emissions come from travel.
02
Tourism contributes 8% to global CO2 emissions.
03
1.2 billion plastic bottles used by tourists yearly.
04
Overtourism affected 75 destinations in 2023.
05
Sustainable tourism grew 10% annually.
06
70% of tourists seek eco-friendly options.
07
Coral reefs damaged by 14,000 tourist boats daily.
08
Water use by tourism is 25% in peak seasons.
09
44% reduction in wildlife sightings due to tourism.
10
Green hotels increased to 20% of total in 2023.
11
Carbon offset programs used by 15% of airlines.
12
Plastic-free initiatives in 50 countries.
13
Tourism plastic waste equals 1.5 million tons/year.
14
Ecotourism market valued at $181 billion in 2023.
15
60% of beaches eroded by tourism development.
16
Biodiversity loss in 40% of protected areas.
17
Low-emission transport adopted by 10% tourists.
18
Zero-waste resorts numbered 500 worldwide.
19
Overtourism led to bans in 20 cities.
20
Renewable energy in hotels reached 30%.
21
Tourist footprints equal 50 billion sq ft land.
22
Sustainable certifications held by 25% accommodations.
Interpretation
Sustainability Interpretation
With tourism contributing 8% of global CO2 emissions and 80% of those emissions tied to travel, the rise of sustainable tourism by 10% each year is a promising sign, especially as 70% of tourists actively want eco friendly options.
06 · Category
Visitor Numbers30 stats
01
In 2023, international tourist arrivals worldwide reached 1.3 billion, recovering to 88% of pre-pandemic levels.
02
France welcomed 100 million international tourists in 2023, making it the world's top destination.
03
Spain saw 85.17 million international visitors in 2023, up 23.7% from 2022.
04
The United States recorded 66.5 million international visitors in 2023.
05
Italy attracted 57.25 million tourists in 2023.
06
Turkey hosted 49.21 million international tourists in 2023.
07
Mexico received 42.15 million tourists in 2023.
08
United Kingdom had 39.37 million visitors in 2023.
09
Germany welcomed 38.88 million tourists in 2023.
10
Thailand saw 28.15 million international arrivals in 2023.
11
United Arab Emirates recorded 21.8 million tourists in 2023.
12
Greece attracted 32.5 million visitors in 2023.
13
Austria had 30.9 million overnight stays by international tourists in 2023.
14
Portugal welcomed 26.5 million tourists in 2023.
15
Netherlands saw 20.4 million international visitors in 2023.
16
Japan recorded 25 million inbound tourists in 2023.
17
Canada had 19.8 million international visitors in 2023.
18
Australia welcomed 8.9 million tourists in 2023.
19
Switzerland attracted 11.2 million overnight stays in 2023.
20
Croatia saw 20 million tourists in 2023.
21
Egypt hosted 13.9 million tourists in 2023.
22
Saudi Arabia recorded 27.4 million tourists in 2023.
23
Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million international tourists in 2023.
24
Indonesia saw 11.68 million tourists in 2023.
25
South Africa had 8.5 million tourists in 2023.
26
New Zealand attracted 3.6 million visitors in 2023.
27
Iceland welcomed 2.2 million tourists in 2023.
28
Morocco saw 14.5 million tourists in 2023.
29
Hungary had 12.7 million foreign guest nights in 2023.
30
Poland recorded 18.5 million tourists in 2023.
Interpretation
Visitor Numbers Interpretation
Visitor numbers rebounded strongly in 2023, with international arrivals worldwide reaching 1.3 billion and recovering to 88% of pre-pandemic levels, while major destinations like France led with 100 million tourists.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Diana Reeves. (2026, February 13). Tourist Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tourist-statistics
MLA
Diana Reeves. "Tourist Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/tourist-statistics.
Chicago
Diana Reeves. 2026. "Tourist Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tourist-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level