Yahoo Finance The world's biggest travel spenders
1/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
According to Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Reports, Germany is rated as one of the safest travel destinations worldwide. The country also recorded 28.4 million tourists. Germany continues to lead the global ranking, with $84 billion in international tourism expenditure in 2011. (Photo: Getty Images)![United States spend on tourism comes up to <b>$79 billion</b> and the country comes second in the number of tourists arrivals as well with 62.3 million tourists. It has to be noted that India contributes around 30 percent to this figure and the United States has taken several other steps to reduce the visa interview waiting period. (Photo: Getty Images)]()
2/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
United States spend on tourism comes up to $79 billion and the country comes second in the number of tourists arrivals as well with 62.3 million tourists. It has to be noted that India contributes around 30 percent to this figure and the United States has taken several other steps to reduce the visa interview waiting period. (Photo: Getty Images)![China with 57.6 million visitors spent <b>$72.6 billion</b> and recorded the highest increase of 32 percent (which translates to an additional US$ 18 billion) and is catching up with the United States. China is also planning on opening up the country's first atomic bomb site at Malan for tourists. (Photo: AFP)]()
3/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
China with 57.6 million visitors spent $72.6 billion and recorded the highest increase of 32 percent (which translates to an additional US$ 18 billion) and is catching up with the United States. China is also planning on opening up the country's first atomic bomb site at Malan for tourists. (Photo: AFP)![Around <b>$50 billion</b> is spent by the United Kingdom for tourism and the country saw 29 million tourists. The recently concluded Olympics unfortunately did not do wonders for the country’s tourism. 3 million tourists visited the UK in August, less from 3.15 million last year. (Photo: Getty Images)]()
4/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
Around $50 billion is spent by the United Kingdom for tourism and the country saw 29 million tourists. The recently concluded Olympics unfortunately did not do wonders for the country’s tourism. 3 million tourists visited the UK in August, less from 3.15 million last year. (Photo: Getty Images)![With its main attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and charming sidewalk cafés, the country stands fifth in the international tourist spenders list with <b>$41.7 billion</b>. However, the country sees the highest number of tourists, an almost staggering 80 million tourists! (Photo: Getty Images)]()
5/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
With its main attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and charming sidewalk cafés, the country stands fifth in the international tourist spenders list with $41.7 billion. However, the country sees the highest number of tourists, an almost staggering 80 million tourists! (Photo: Getty Images)![Another representative from North America, Canada spends <b>$33 billion</b> on tourism and sees around 15 million tourists. The country is also looking to reduce the tax burden on the aviation industry to attract more foreign tourists especially from the BRIC countries. (Photo: Getty Images)]()
6/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
Another representative from North America, Canada spends $33 billion on tourism and sees around 15 million tourists. The country is also looking to reduce the tax burden on the aviation industry to attract more foreign tourists especially from the BRIC countries. (Photo: Getty Images)![The Russian Federation spends around <b>$32 billion</b> on tourism and sees 22 million tourists. Since the Soviet times, the tourism sector has seen a lot of growth and the country is home to 23 World Heritage Sites such as Lake Baikal, Moscow Kremlin, Red Square. (Photo: Getty Images)]()
7/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
The Russian Federation spends around $32 billion on tourism and sees 22 million tourists. Since the Soviet times, the tourism sector has seen a lot of growth and the country is home to 23 World Heritage Sites such as Lake Baikal, Moscow Kremlin, Red Square. (Photo: Getty Images)![With the famed Colosseum and a country known for its food, Italy emerges as the eigth highest spender with <b>$28 billion</b> and sees 46 million tourists. Italy contains the most number of World Heritage Sites than any other country. (Photo: Getty Images)]()
8/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
With the famed Colosseum and a country known for its food, Italy emerges as the eigth highest spender with $28 billion and sees 46 million tourists. Italy contains the most number of World Heritage Sites than any other country. (Photo: Getty Images)![<b>$27 billion</b> was spent by Japan in 2011 and compared to other countries in the list sees a meager 6 million tourists. Hot springs are extremely famous in this country and are one of the main draws apart from its network of hotels. (Photo: Getty Images)]()
9/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
$27 billion was spent by Japan in 2011 and compared to other countries in the list sees a meager 6 million tourists. Hot springs are extremely famous in this country and are one of the main draws apart from its network of hotels. (Photo: Getty Images)![Australia finishes last in this list with a tourism expenditure of <b>$26.9 billion</b> and tourist arrivals of 5 million. In 2010-11, the tourism sector contributed around $95 million a day to the Australian economy. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, an annual event usually attracts thousands of international tourists. (Photo: Getty Images)]()
10/11Top 10 spenders in international tourism
Australia finishes last in this list with a tourism expenditure of $26.9 billion and tourist arrivals of 5 million. In 2010-11, the tourism sector contributed around $95 million a day to the Australian economy. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, an annual event usually attracts thousands of international tourists. (Photo: Getty Images)![India with its Incredible India tourism campaigns sees 6 million tourist arrivals and is the largest tourism destination in the sub-region of Asia Pacific. A total of <b>$17 billion</b> was spent on tourism. The sector is also expected to create 78 jobs per million rupees of investment. (Photo: Getty Images)]()
11/11The world's biggest travel spenders
India with its Incredible India tourism campaigns sees 6 million tourist arrivals and is the largest tourism destination in the sub-region of Asia Pacific. A total of $17 billion was spent on tourism. The sector is also expected to create 78 jobs per million rupees of investment. (Photo: Getty Images)
With demand for international tourism growing and the number of tourist arrivals reaching 983 million worldwide, up from 940 million in 2010 tourism has experienced continued expansion and diversification, becoming one of the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors in the world.
The UNWTO’s report on 2012 tourism highlights gives the list of the countries that invest the most in the tourism sector. India was the fastest growing source market among the top 50 spenders with a 33% increase, moving up two places to 22nd in the ranking.
Source: UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2012 Edition
