Vive la France! Country remains world's top tourism destination

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Europe

‍France retained its position as the world's favorite tourism destination in 2016, the UN's World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said on Wednesday, defying concerns over terror attacks.

The United States came in second followed closely by Spain, according to the annual figures the Madrid-based UNWTO usually announces in January, but which were delayed this year.

A two mast boat sails off Manhattan, on July 4, 2017 in New York City. /AFP Photo

Although France stayed at the top of the league after welcoming 82.6 million visitors last year, that was a more than two-percent drop on 2015's figures.

Repeated terror attacks had sparked concerns that tourism would drop substantially in France, known especially for its food and drink, but the data indicated most visitors had not been put off.

People wait at a bus stop in front of the Passion facade of the Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family in Barcelona on February 17, 2016. /AFP Photo

The number of tourists visiting the US was also down, falling three percent to 75.61 million, which saw the country narrowly maintain its second position as Spain experienced a 10-percent jump in visitors to 75.56 million.

Spain's tourism sector has boomed, partly because people who normally go to Turkey, Egypt or north Africa for their holidays are instead deciding to chase the sun in Spain, citing fears of unrest.

A view of the pyramid in Cairo's northern Giza Province, on March 29, 2017. / AFP Photo

China came fourth in the rankings with just under 60 million visitors while Italy came fifth – the same positions as 2015.

The classification is calculated according to the number of visitors who spend at least one night in a country.

Snow sits on rooftops in the Forbidden City during a snowfall in Beijing on February 21, 2017. /AFP Photo

But if the money earned from tourists is taken into account, the United States would come a resounding first with 206 billion US dollars taken in 2016, the UNWTO said.

Spain came second with around 60 billion US dollars – another rise compared to 2015 – followed by Thailand and China.

The UK fell from third to seventh at 34 billion US dollars due in part to the depreciation of the pound compared to the dollar after the Brexit referendum, added the UNWTO.

(With input from AFP)

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