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World tourism rankings by country: top 20 countries.

In this piece, we will take a look at world tourism rankings by country. If you want to skip our analysis of the tourism industry and recent trends, head on over to World Tourism Rankings by Country: Top 5 Countries .

Tourism is one of the key determinants of global economic health. And it's an industry that has grown alongside advances in air transportation that have enabled people to travel to far flung destinations while traveling at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per hour.

This industry is also among the few that were left completely devastated in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Estimates from the United Nations' World Tourism Organization (WTO) show that international travel shrunk by an absolutely stunning 72% in 2020 as lockdowns and stay at home orders led to the closure of hospitality establishments and restrictions on the number of people that could be crammed inside an enclosed space such as an airplane. The impact of the pandemic was so severe that even by the end of 2022, the industry had recovered to 65% of previous levels despite more than a year of near normalcy.

Yet, tourism is one of the biggest industries in the world. For instance, according to research from Industry Arc, the global travel and tourism industry is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% between 2021 and 2026 to be worth an estimated $8.9 trillion by the end of the forecast period. Another report from Allied Markets Research estimates that the business travel market was worth $696 billion in 2020 and will grow at a CAGR of 13.2% to sit at $2 trillion by 2028.

At the same time, business and leisure travel are not the only constituents industries of tourism. Two additional markets are adventure tourism and luxury travel. Estimates suggest that the former was worth $282 billion in 2021 and after growing at a CAGR of 15.1% is estimated to be worth $1 trillion in 2030. As far as luxury tourism is concerned, it was quite lucrative, being worth $1.28 trillion in 2022, and should have a CAGR of 7.6% to be worth $2.32 trillion in 2030.

Building on this, the next logical question to ask is which countries are the most popular for tourists and which are the most visited overall as well as in continents such as Europe and Asia. Well, on this front, data from the World Tourism Organization once again answer all our questions. Its World Tourism Barometer report for December 2020 (the latest version that is publicly available) shows that France was the most visited tourist destination in the world and in Europe in 2019. Broadening our approach to see which are the top ten most visited tourist countries in the world, we find out that after France, the list is dominated by Spain, the U.S., China, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Astute readers will note that this also makes China as the most visited tourist destination in Asia. In terms of numbers, 83.5 million people visited Spain in 2019 - the second most popular tourist destination in Europe while China attracted 65.7 million people.

At this point, you might be wondering which is the most popular and most visited city in the world. Well, and perhaps unsurprisingly, just as France is the world's and Europe's most popular tourist destination, the most visited city in the world is its capital, Paris. This bit of information comes courtesy of Euromonitor International, which adds that in addition to Paris, some other popular cities for tourists are Dubai, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rome, and London. Crucially, Euromonitor's stats are for 2022, while the WTO's data shared above is from 2019, and these facts when taken together indicate that trends in the tourism industry tend to stay similar over the years - a crucial conclusion as you'll find out below.

China's role as the most popular tourist destination in Asia and a leading global economy merits a deeper look at what's in store for the country's tourist fortunes. China kick started 2023 by removing nearly all restrictions on travel and tourism, and after initially faltering, the pent up tourism demand roared back to life. Data compiled by McKinsey shows that visits to one of its most popular cities Shanghai nearly doubled to ten million visitors from the pre coronavirus 2019 peak. At the same time, China also has some of the biggest outbound tourism travelers in the world, and McKinsey estimates that pend up demand from these visitors as well carries with it a strong chance of injecting fresh vigor into the global tourism industry.

Finally, it's relevant to conclude our analysis of the global tourism industry by taking a look at what's happening on the ground. On this front, the management of Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE ) outlined during its first quarter of 2023 earnings call conference :

And I’m pleased to have started the year with strong performance. We posted our highest ever quarter for lodging gross bookings and free cash flow and our best first quarter for revenue. Throughout the quarter, we saw strong consumer demand with acceleration in international and big city travel and more of Asia reopening. The reemergence of major international cities has meant increased hotel demand, offset in part by flattening demand in vacation rentals as travel demand mix to urban destinations over extended beach and mountain trips. Similarly, air has continued to mix towards international travel and away from COVID era concentration in domestic. By and large, prices have held up quite well after several years of inflation. We’ve seen lodging ADRs hold fairly steady across geos. Air ticket prices, however, continued to increase as strong demand continues to outstrip capacity. The only area where we have seen any meaningful decline in average daily rate is in the car rental space where larger inventories have allowed rental companies to drive more volume at the expense of price. Overall, we are pleased to see broad travel demand remain strong in what appears to be a more structural post pandemic environment of people prioritizing travel above most other categories of spend. This has held up despite inflation and recession worries and even, more recently, bank system concerns. While economists continue to debate potential recession outcomes and clearly many unknowns are still out there, consumers have so far shaken it off and continue to travel.

With these details in mind, let's take a look at the world tourism rankings according to countries.

Pixabay/Public domain

Our Methodology

To compile our global tourism ranking by country, we used data from the 2020 version of the United Nations' World Tourism Barometer report. While it lists out international tourism receipts for 2019, this is actually helpful since 2019 was the last economically stable year for the global tourism industry which is still recovering. For our world tourism rankings, we have used international tourism receipts which is the amount spent by international visitors in a country. On a side note, both countries and special territories are included, since the spending is quite substantial.

World Tourism Rankings by Country

20. portuguese republic.

International Tourism Receipts: $20.6 billion

The Portuguese Republic is a Southwestern European country. It has a $257 billion economy and is famous for its Gothic architecture and diverse cuisine.

19. Republic of Korea

International Tourism Receipts: $21.6 billion 

The Republic of Korea, commonly known as South Korea is a technologically developed Asian country. South Korea is quite popular with visitors from China - with thousands flocking to the country each year.

18. United Arab Emirates

International Tourism Receipts: $21.8 billion 

The United Arab Emirates is not a surprising industry in our list of world tourism rankings. After all, its economic hub Dubai is one of the most highly visited cities in Asia.

17. Republic of Austria

International Tourism Receipts: $22.9 billion 

The Republic of Austria is a Central European landlocked country. Some of its most popular tourist destinations include its capital Vienna, known for the Schönbrunn Palace.

16. United Mexican States

International Tourism Receipts: $24.6 billion 

The United Mexican States, or Mexico, is a North American country. It is well known for historical tourism, being the birthplace of the Mayan civilization as well as beautiful beaches.

International Tourism Receipts: $28.0 billion 

Canada is a prosperous North American nation. Canada is best known for its Niagra Falls, which has been a popular tourist destination for more than a hundred years.

14. Hong Kong SAR

International Tourism Receipts: $29.0 billion 

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. It is known for its vibrant nightlife, historic temples, and of course, Disneyland.

13. Republic of Türkiye

International Tourism Receipts: $29.8 billion

The Republic of Türkiye is an Asian and European nation. Its Istanbul International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world.

12. Republic of India

International Tourism Receipts: $30.7 billion

The Republic of India is one of the biggest countries in the world and is full of iconic tourist destinations such as the Taj Mahal, the Ganges River, and more.

11. People's Republic of China

International Tourism Receipts: $35.8 billion

The People's Republic of China is the most populous nation in the world. It has a centuries old culture lending it iconic destinations such as the Great Wall of China.

10. Macao SAR

International Tourism Receipts: $40.1 billion

Macao is another special territory of China. It is best known for its vibrant casino and gaming industry.

9. Federal Republic of Germany

International Tourism Receipts: $41.6 billion

The Federal Republic of Germany is Europe's largest economy It is known for its beer festivals and winter markets, that is quite a spectacle.

8. Commonwealth of Australia

International Tourism Receipts: $45.7 billion

The Commonwealth of Australia is a prosperous Oceanic country. It is known for having the world's largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef.

International Tourism Receipts: $46.1 billion

Like China, Japan is also a historic country full of ancient temples and a historic culture.

6. Italian Republic

International Tourism Receipts: $49.6 billion

Another unsurprising entry on our list is Italy. Known for its Roman culture and art galleries, it is one of the best destinations for cultural tourism.

Click to continue reading and see World Tourism Rankings by Country: Top 5 Countries .

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Disclosure: None.  World Tourism Rankings by Country is originally published on Insider Monkey.

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Most Visited Countries 2024

European countries, often rich in history, culture, beautiful beaches, and ocean views, attract the highest number of tourists.

France, leading in tourism for over 30 years, offers attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris, drawing 38 million tourists to Paris alone in 2019.

Global travel and tourism, an $8.9 trillion industry in 2019, suffered a loss of $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Global travel and tourism was an $8.9 trillion (US$) business in 2019 . Moreover, though the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced that number to roughly a quarter of its previous value, all signs point to tourism continuing to grow, expand, and evolve. Every country on Earth has something to offer international visitors, from the pyramids in Egypt to the rainforests of Brazil or the sidewalk cafes of Paris —but which countries attract the most visitors of all? Most of the countries with the highest tourism rates are located in Europe , whose rich history, architecture, and cultural influence make it an appealing destination for many travelers. Countries positioned on or near a body of water are also very popular, particularly those that offer a relaxed, low-key atmosphere mixed with beautiful beaches and ocean views.

Top 10 Countries Most Popular with Tourists (by number of 2019 visitor arrivals)

The most popular tourist destination in the world for more than 30 years, France offers a myriad of attractions: the Eiffel tower, countless world-class restaurants, the Musée du Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, and of course, Disneyland Paris. Moreover, the lushly beautiful countryside is full of storybook villages, mountains, vineyards, and the occasional castle. One can even view prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux. Paris, France's capital, is the most visited city in Europe, receiving 38 million tourists in 2019.

Spain is another tourist destination overflowing with interesting attractions. Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia cathedral and other works in Barcelona , the Guggenheim museum, the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Europe's largest aquarium (the lily-shaped L'Oceanogràfic), the beaches of Gran Canaria, and La Rambla in Barcelona. Spain is also home to El Teide, an ancient—but not entirely dormant—volcano, which visitors can hike around at the Parque Nacional del Teide on the Spanish island Tenerife.

England's capital city, London , attracts visitors with a wide range of sights including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum, which includes the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo . Beyond London, England offers the mysterious Stonehenge, the Beatles' birthplace in Liverpool , the quaint beauty of the Cotswolds, the sci-fi botanical gardens of the Eden Project, and more. Speaking of more, the UK also includes three additional subdivisions. First is Scotland, with the charming city of Edinburgh , moody Loch Ness and Inverness , the scenic highlands, and the historic St. Andrews golf course. Next comes charming Wales and its castles, scenery, and capital city of Cardiff . Finally, Northern Ireland boasts attractions including Belfast 's bubbling nightlife, the glens and coastline of Antrim, and one of Europe's most compelling natural wonders: the Giant's Causeway.

The Mediterranean nation Turkey balances captivating man-made attractions such as Hagia Sophia mosque and Topkapı Palace with archaeological wonders such as the Biblical city of Ephesus, the fairy city of Cappadocia, and the desolate fallen splendor of Mount Nemrut. It also has more than its share of natural wonders, including the famous beaches at Ölüdeniz and Patara, the mineral pools at Pamukkale, and the Mediterranean coastline itself.

The South Asian country of Thailand is also known as the "Land of Smiles", and offers both modern comforts and wild adventure. Thailand's capital, Bangkok , receives over 20 million visitors every year. Popular attractions include the Grand Palace in Bangkok; beaches including Railay, Long, and Monkey beach; the ancient city Ayutthaya and ornate Buddhist wat Coi Suthep, and national parks including Khao Yai (where wild elephants roam) and the otherworldly Khao Sok.

The impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21 had a devastating effect on the travel and tourism industry. According to a report released by the World Travel & Tourism Council , the pandemic cost the industry an estimated US$ 4.5 trillion in 2020, which resulted in the loss of 62 million tourism-dependent jobs. Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization backs this up. Consider the following table:

International tourist arrivals (in thousands of visitors):

Compared to 2019, tourism dropped by approximately 74% in 2020, with a total of a billion fewer travelers over the course of the year--making 2020 the worst year on record for tourism. The UNTWO's own estimates registered a loss of US$ 1.3 trillion in lost revenues and 100-120 million jobs either lost or at risk.

The impact has been particularly damaging in countries that rely heavily upon tourism as part of their GDP. Lost tourism in Macau , one of China 's special administrative regions, led to a 79.3% drop in year-on-year gambling revenues , which caused overall GDP for 2020 to fall 43.1% compared to the previous year.

While tourism has picked up slightly in 2021, they still fall far short of the pre-pandemic numbers. Late 2020 projections were hopeful that the industry would be back on track by late 2021, but the ongoing nature of the pandemic has thwarted that optimism. As of late 2021, most estimates do not expect the industry to rebound to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels until sometime in 2023 at the earliest.

• Visitor totals are displayed in 1000s. For example, South Africa 's displayed total of 3886.6 equals 3,886,600 visitors.

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What are the top 5 most visited countries?

Frequently asked questions.

• UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard - United Nations World Tourism Organization
• World Tourism Barometer - United Nations World Tourism Organization
• Trending in Travel - World Travel & Tourism Council
• Economic Impact Reports - World Travel & Tourism Council

International tourism: the most popular countries

Drastic declines due to COVID-19

The most popular travel countries.

Germany is the world travel champion

Booming tourism and slump in 2020.

A look at the costs

World Tourism Rankings

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that internationally there were just 25 million tourist arrivals in 1950. 68 years later this number has increased to 1  billion  international arrivals per year.

Every country on Earth has something to offer international visitors, from the pyramids in Egypt to the rain forests of Brazil or the sidewalk cafes of Paris but which countries attract the most visitors of all? Most of the countries with the highest tourism rates are located in Europe, whose rich history, architecture, and cultural influence make it an appealing destination for many travelers. Countries positioned on or near a body of water are also very popular, particularly those that offer a relaxed, low-key atmosphere mixed with beautiful beaches and ocean views.

International Arrivals Per Year

According to the  World Tourism Organization’s  yearly highlights report, there was a growth of 7% in international tourist arrivals in the last 10 years. Europe makes up 51% of the 1,326 million figure, followed by Asia and the Pacific at 24%. Economic gain through tourism peaked at US$ 1,340 billion, divided up between Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and Americas.

While tourism has picked up slightly in 2021, they still fall far short of the pre-pandemic numbers. Late 2020 projections were hopeful that the industry would be back on track by late 2021, but the ongoing nature of the pandemic has thwarted that optimism. As of late 2021, most estimates do not expect the industry to rebound to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels until sometime in 2023 at the earliest.

Top 10 Most visited Country in the World

The most popular tourist destination in the world for more than 30 years, France offers a myriad of attractions: the Eiffel tower, countless world-class restaurants, the Musée du Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, and of course, Disneyland Paris. Moreover, the lushly beautiful countryside is full of storybook villages, mountains, vineyards, and the occasional castle. One can even view prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux. Paris, France’s capital, is the most visited city in Europe, receiving 38 million tourists in 2019.

World Tourism Rankings by Country

• UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard – United Nations World Tourism Organization
• World Tourism Barometer – United Nations World Tourism Organization
• Trending in Travel – World Travel & Tourism Council
• Economic Impact Reports – World Travel & Tourism Council

Literacy Rate by Country

World Tourism Rankings by Country 2024

Average Monthly Salary by Country 2024 (After Tax)

Suicide Rates by Country 2024

Depression Rate by Country (2024)

World Most Powerful Passport Ranking 2024

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Tourism in Europe Recovers Causing Delight and Dismay

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The front gate of San Isidoro School, in Barrio de Santa Cruz.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, European cities experienced a dramatic drop in tourism. Now that visitors have returned in force, locals have mixed feelings. Many cities rely on tourism money, but throngs of people and the demand for short-term rentals can change the very places people are clamoring to visit. We hear about how Seville, Spain is experiencing that tension.

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Global Tourism Statistics 2024:Facts and Forecasts

Home » Blog » Global Tourism Statistics 2024:Facts and Forecasts

After the massive hit of the COVID-19 pandemic. Global tourism’s future and trends tend to move towards an upward shift. This paradigm shift has a massive impact on tourism and related activities. So, we will delve more into Global Tourism Statistics 2024:Facts and Forecasts today.

There was a subsequent rise in GDP after the COVID-19 pandemic period . Statista predicted in 2022 that the tourism industry will get back on track as tourists tend to be inbound and outbound from place to place.

Table of contents

Global tourism analysis, global tourism statistics 2019, global tourism statistics 2020, global tourism statistics 2021, global tourism statistics 2022, global tourism statistics 202 3, global tourism statistics 2024 | predictive analysis, international tourist arrivals in 2024.

• Global Tourism Contributions to GDP 2024

Global Tourism Growth Rate 2024

Global tourism revenue growth rate 2024.

The tourism industry and activities started to flourish after the pandemic. The number started to rise again. Global Tourism Statistics predicted that the travel and tourism business will experience 18% growth in 2024.

This is the highest point after the pandemic period. Hotel bookings, travel, and tourism businesses are expected to reach new heights. Experts suggest it’s the best time to start your own travel and tourism business.

• International tourist arrivals worldwide were around 95,000 at the beginning of 2019.
• The growth rate of tourist arrivals was slower.
• Nearly $1.9 trillion was spent by tourists in 2019.
• Travel receipts were around $9.3 billion in 2019.

Global Tourism was about $8.9 trillion in 2019 . Tourists love to explore beautiful countries. And popular destinations. France tends to hold the Number 1 position in 2019 as more than 90 million tourists visit the country.

(Top 5 visited countries 2019)

Moreover, 2019 tourism was slightly disturbed by covid 19 from July. However, there were many popular destinations loved by tourists worldwide. 

In 2019, the total spending on world tourism reached a peak of $1.86 trillion, showing a growth of 1.81% compared to the previous year. 

This indicates that people tend to spend more on travel and tourism activities, contributing to the overall tourism industry’s economic enhancement. 

The increase in spending suggests a continued interest and investment in tourism experiences on a global scale.

There was a massive decline in the travel and tourism industry in 2020. The tourism industry declined by more than 67% compared to the previous year . This makes one of the greatest downward shifts in the tourism industry ever recorded after subsequent time.

Pacific island Fiji tends to face an economic crisis because of a decline in tourist and tourism activities. Countries relying totally on tourism were more affected this year.

From January to May 2020. International tourist arrivals declined by more than 56% similarly in April it was recorded with a decline of 97%.

(Decline in international tourist arrivals 2019 vs 2022))

The limited movement of people from place to place results in a massive loss for the aviation industry as well. 

Air passenger was reduced by almost 60.2% compared to 2019 . This creates the worst conditions for the airline industry. Among many industries airline industry was one of the most impacted as there was a decline in tourist flow.

• GDP of tourism ( 2.9 of GDP)  $624.7 billion was declined to $356.8 (1.7 of GDP) making it the greatest downfall of all time in tourism history.
• Total number of visitors in 2020 was comparatively low compared with the past 10 years of data.
• Tourism-dependent countries faced a major economic crisis.

Overall global tourism in 2020 didn’t grow that well the unpredictable circumstance has resulted in a massive decline in the GPD as well. There were approximately 1.5 billion tourist arrivals in 2019 and the number declined by more than 75% in 2020 the estimated tourist arrival in 2020 was around 381 million only. Compared with the 2019 tourist arrival the data fluctuation is very high.

The Tourism industry has gone through numerous uptrends and downtrends throughout the period. 2019 ended and 2020 was considered one of the most challenging years for the whole tourism industry. Regarding 2021 the tourism industry starts to rise at a minimal speed. 

In 2021 tourism industry start to gain speed at a minimal rate according to the popular data analytical site Statista. Global tourism worldwide increased by 4% in 2021 compared to 2020.

Matter of fact the international tourist arrival was 79% down compared with the 2019 tourist inbound data.

Recovering from the mass decline of 2020 the tourism industry started to increase with several 64.4% in 2021. The travel and tourism increment number in 2020 was only 50.7% 

(Decline in international tourist arrivals)

In 2021, the US had 22.1 million inbound arrivals, which is a 15% increase from 2020 and a 72% decrease from 2019.

• Overall increment in the tourism industry was recorded at more than 64.4 %
• Export revenues from international tourism dropped 59%.
• In 2021, the travel and tourism industry’s share of GDP increased from 1.54% in 2020 to 2.15% in 2021. 
• Compared to 2019 the contribution of GDP was still down in 2021 ( 49.1% ) only.
• Recovering from the pandemic travel and tourism businesses tend to increase by more than 362 billion dollars.

Regarding 2021 tourism status it has shown a little increment in terms of number compared with the 2020 data. The industry recorded a substantial 64.4% growth , surpassing the incremental rate in 2020.

Export revenues dropped by 59%, while the industry’s share of GDP improved from 1.54% in 2020 to 2.15% in 2021 . Despite signs of recovery, the sector has not reached its growth level in 2020.

Comparing the tourism condition with the year 2021 the number and data start to shift toward an upward curve. Analyzing the data deeply in 2022 total international tourism receipt reached the threshold of $1 trillion which is massive compared to the 2022 number.

However, the total receipts were still not able to reach the number of pre-pandemic. In 2022 more than 900 million tourists travel internationally. 

International tourist spending reached 64% of pre-pandemic levels. 2022 start to maintain sort of momentum to reach the peak point of travel and tourism activities.

   (Travel and tourism contribution over GDP from 2019 to 2022 )

• The total earned export revenue was still below the line ( 34 % ) below pre pre-pandemic level.
• $7.7 trillion contribution to global GDP
• Significant growth in spending of international visitors ( about 20.4% increment )
• 2022 travel and tourism generated more than 22 million new jobs . Significantly high in number compared to 2021 data.

The travel and tourism sector ultimately makes a contribution of 7.7 trillion dollars to global gross domestic product ( GDP ). The number is shifting in an upward trend compared with other previous years. 

The 2022 travel and tourism activities maintained a pace of recovery mode. The industry maintained to level up from the previous year. As it intends to create more jobs and contribute more to the global economy and GDP.

All the dimensions of the tourism industry in 2022  start to evolve and grow over time. Ultimately the revenue received from tourists hit a whopping $1 trillion and more than 900 million people travel globally.

The travel industry solely created millions of jobs and contributed to overall economic growth.

Popular website for travel and tourism data stated that more than 975 million tourists were traveling internationally in the year 2023. Compared with 2021 and 2022 this year seems to be beneficial for travel and tourism industries.

In the first quarter of 2023, there is a spike in the growth of tourist arrivals. International tourist arrival reached 80% of pre-pandemic level. This states that the year 2023 is a sort of recovery year for the tourism industry. After years the industry was able to reach this point.

The travel and tourism industry somehow was able to reach progress similar to the year 2019. Travel bookings were up r oughly 31% at the end of March 2023 compared to the same time in 2019.

The travel and tourism health progress up to 87% in the year 2023. The USA tends to be a prime actor as it was able to accumulate more than $190.39 billion U.S. dollars.

Followed by the supreme country China and Canada.

China accumulated around $154.02 billion U.S. dollars followed by Canada which is $16 billion U.S. dollars.

The total gap between Canada and the USA is around $174.39 billion U.S. dollars respectively. In terms of numbers, these countries seem to do well in the tourism industry.

  (Top 5 Visited Countries 2023 )

• Over 975 million tourists traveled worldwide in 2023 ( Jan to Sep)
• The total projected contribution of travel and tourism was around $2.2 trillion U.S. dollars toward global GDP.
• The total international receipt projected in 2023 was around USD 1.4 trillion .
• Compared with other years in 2023, there were more than 171 nights spent compared to 2022. 
• Rise in tourist traveling rate results into increment in increment in hotel occupancy rate up to 10% higher compared to the previous year.

Airline industries also tend to bounce back as revenues reach more than   $803 billion , Comparatively it’s higher than 2022 as it reached around 9.7%.

Certain external factors do impact the travel business globally. The economic sanctions on Russia by different nations have resulted in delays in travel and tourism as well. Similarly, the zero COVID strategy promulgated by China has also affected the tourism industry overall.

The momentum of global tourism could potentially shift to an upward curve if all external factors don’t interrupt travel and tourism activities.

2024 is regarded as one of the important years for the travel and tourism sector. As the impact of COVID-19 started to overcome the travel and tourism business all across the world started to gain momentum throughout the time.

There are thorough predictions made for 2024 tourism. Multiple analyses tend to show potential opportunities for the tourism sector. From 2019 to 2023 the industry of tourism was scattered by COVID-19 after the interference of COVID-19 the cycle of 2024 tourism got into rollercoaster rides.

However, global tourism spending is predicted to reach $2 trillion in 2024 . After a long period, it’s predicted that international travel trips will exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024, marking a 3% increase from 2019 .

The overall tourism market will get to a new level. The prediction is that the travel and tourism market will reach $927.30 billion in 2024 . Which is one of the big numbers compared to the previous year’s global tourism statistics.

After lot’s of ups and downs finally the travel and tourism industry is getting into momentum. It’s expected that tourist arrivals in 2024 will increase by 17.23% from the past year i.e. 2023. If the industry can meet the expectation there will be massive changes in the overall tourism business.

• The expected international tourists is about 1.53 billion which is significantly large compared to the previous year.
• the GDP contribution by tourism in 2024 will be 10.6%
• Year-to-year growth in 2024 will be increased by a large number as expectation of over 17.24 % is made.
• Ultimately the revenue will be around US 9.4 billion American dollars .

In 2024, the travel and tourism industry is on the rise after facing challenges. There’s a big anticipation of a 17.23% increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2023.

  (International Tourist Arrival in 2024 )

If this expectation is met, it could bring significant positive changes to the overall tourism business.

The projected number of international tourists for 2024 is a substantial 1.53 billion, a noteworthy increase from the previous year.

The industry’s contribution to the global GDP in 2023 was 10.6%. Looking ahead, there’s an optimistic year-to-year growth forecast of over 17.24% in 2024.

In terms of revenue, the industry is expected to generate around US $9.4 billion . These promising figures indicate a strong recovery and growth for the travel and tourism sector in the coming year.

Global Tourism Contributions to GDP 2024

The travel and tourism industry is getting on track after facing challenges in recent years. For 2024, there is an optimistic growth outlook:

• Tourist arrivals are expected to increase by 17.23% from 2023 . If this matches the expectations, it could bring major positive impacts for the overall tourism business.
• International tourist projections sit at a substantial 1.53 billion for 2024, a significant jump from the previous year’s numbers.
• The industry contributed 10.6% to global GDP in 2023.
• For 2024, year-over-year growth forecasts are a promising 17.24%, indicating strong momentum.
• In terms of revenue generation, the travel sector could reach around USD 9.4 billion.

  (2024 Global Tourism Contribution To GDP)

These numbers and projections point to a rapid recovery and expansion period for international and domestic travel over the coming year.

More people are expected to take vacations and business trips that could greatly benefit tour operators, hotels, airlines, and other travel entities after facing struggles not too long ago.

If the above expectations and forecasts are fulfilled, 2024 is shaping up to be a beneficial year for travel and tourism when looking at tourist arrivals, GDP contributions, growth percentages, and total revenue creation. There seems to be renewed optimism across the sector.

Overall The travel and tourism industry holds a positive growth approach in 2024 according to projections:

• Global tourism saw significant declines in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, momentum picked back up in 2022.
• For 2023, the estimated growth rate in global tourism is between 30% to 35% as the industry rebounds.
• Looking ahead to 2024 , the global tourism growth rate is forecasted to be around 34.7%.
• This would represent a noticeable jump from the expected 30-35% growth in 2023 showing sustained positive momentum.
• If 2024 hits the projected 34.7% in tourism growth , it would take global travel significantly above 2019 volumes indicating a full industry comeback has been achieved.
• This global growth also implies strong performance in major tourism markets across different regions like Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa.

  (Global Tourism Growth Rate 2024)

Ultimately, 2024 is setting up to be another very high growth year for travel globally with expectations of over one-third increase in tourism versus 2023 numbers.

All signals point to a sector that has recovered to pre-pandemic strength and managed to undo the large drops observed in 2020 and 2021.

International tourist arrivals are projected to reach 1.53 billion, representing a substantial recovery with an expected year-over-year growth of 17.24% from the 975 million arrivals in 2023.

After facing major challenges in 2020 and 2021, the tourism industry is all set for substantial revenue growth in 2024:

• Global tourism revenue saw a major decline of nearly 50% at the peak of the pandemic. This significantly impacted many travel businesses and destinations.
• A rebound is already underway in 2022 and is expected to continue accelerating through 2023 with an estimated 30-35% growth rate .
• For 2024, global tourism revenues are forecasted to grow around 34.7% year-over-year.
• Gaining a 34.7% revenue growth target would indicate tourism has fully recovered from the pandemic demand shock and is expanding rapidly again.

  (Global Tourism Revenue Growth 2024)

If achieved, 2024 would likely represent the highest-ever revenues for the tourism industry globally surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

The projections for a nearly 35% boost in tourism revenues globally paint an extremely optimistic picture of what lies ahead for the sector in 2024 as demand swells.

This rapid growth trajectory beyond 2023 forecasts shows tourism maintaining great momentum as a key recovery success story among industries worldwide.

➤ Here is the complete list of tour operator software.

The overview for tourism in 2024 is highly positive across expected metrics. International tourist arrivals are forecasted to hit 1.5 billion, representing a rapid 17.23% increase from 2023’s estimates, elevating volumes well beyond pre-pandemic levels.

The sector’s contribution to global GDP, which recorded 10.6% in 2023, is also expected to rise considerably in 2024, reflecting its full rise in economic impact. Most notably, tourism revenues could grow up to 34.7% year-over-year, reaching around $9.4 billion globally .

This Global Tourism Statistics 2024:Facts and Forecasts would be the highest growth rate realized since before the COVID-19 downturn,, these projections point to 2024 being a standout year as the industry looks positively to completely negate pandemic losses and reach new historical highs across metrics like tourist arrivals, revenues, and GDP.

Yam Bahadur Chhetri is a content writer and vivid contributor to the WordPress community and a WordPress enthusiast with an experience of 7+ years in the relative field. He also loves to develop WordPress Themes, Plugins, and custom WordPress development for clients.

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The Most Visited States In The United States

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Every U.S. state has many and various tourist attractions . However, specific U.S. states have become more popular traveler destinations. The following ten states are the most visited in the United States: California, Florida, Nevada, Texas, New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii. These U.S. states are some of their particular attractions, and their features are accented below.

1. California

California is the country’s most populated state and is a significant agricultural state, providing about 99% of some crops. 

About 50% of the state’s area is government-owned and committed to the conservation of nature. Millions of travelers crowd to California to visit the national monuments, historical places, parks, and beaches. California’s most popular tourist destinations are Disneyland, which is visited by almost 15 million people annually. Other popular attractions in the state are:

• Yosemite National park.
• Death Valley.
• Disneyland.
• The Golden Gate Bridge.
• The Hollywood sign.

Disney World is the most-visited theme park globally, so it isn’t unexpected that Florida would stand so high. There’s so much else to view in Florida, including great beach cities along the Mexican Gulf and Atlantic shores. Florida is scattered with traveler attractions and historical places, recreational facilities, and excellent picturesque spots for travelers to visit.

Nevada is the place to one of the most visiting and entertaining centers globally, Las Vegas. In the city are located gambling and entertainment spots as well as the outstanding clubs in the U.S. Other famous attraction places include Lake Tahoe, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park.

Texas is the second-largest after Alaska state in the U.S. This state is genuinely distinct in all ways, shapes, and forms. Texas’s landscape varies from sands to stunning shores to mountain areas to dense woods.

5. New York

We are pretty astonished to observe New York come in as the 5th most visited state in the U.S., given how well-known its famous traveler attraction sites are. The most visited attractions of the world’s financial capital are the Empire State Building, Times Square, the National Monument of the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

6. Virginia

From its gorgeous rolling hills to its vibrant colonial past, Virginia has much to offer everyone passing through. Virginia stretched from the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mounts. Whether you are a beach person or mount person, Virginia is your best choice.

Famous vacationist attractions include Busch Gardens, Luray Caverns, the Shenandoah National Park, Shenandoah Valley, and different historical monuments, including preserved colonies.

7. South Carolina

South Carolina is a U.S. state of forests, beaches, and beautiful parks and gardens. If you want a pleasant, quiet holiday, think of visiting the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Joe Riley Waterfront ParkSkywheel Myrtle Beach, Broadway at the Beach, the Congaree, and Brookgreen Gardens.

Arizona waterfalls are at #8 in our listing of the most visited U.S states. One of the most famous tourist attraction scenes worldwide – Grand Canyon National Park, located in Arizona. Millions of tourists make their route to the state to tour this incredible natural formation. Other astonishing places such as Petrified Forest National Park, Antelope Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Monument Valley, and Petrified Forest bring millions of travelers worldwide.

Visitors to Georgia adore many tourist attractions, including Lookout Mountain, Atlanta Botanical and Rock City Gardens, Carter Presidential Library, National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Moreover, Georgia is perceived as a peach state and is essential for being the prime raiser of pecans, peanuts, and Vidalia onions.

Hawaii is a unique U.S. state located in the tropics. The state is called by many a paradise on Earth because of the picturesque landscapes, lush rainforests, waterfalls, and world-class hotels dispersed throughout the islands. Besides the forests and beaches you can visit, a dormant volcano, and an iconic landmark, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Waimea Canyon State, and Na Pali Coast State Park.

The Most Visited U.S. States

The least visited u.s. states.

Now that we know which U.S. states do the most visiting, it is interesting to find out which states did the least traveling. Whether they don’t have any promoted attractions or they favor spending their money on other tasks, or don’t have as much access to huge airports, these are the states who travel the least in America. Coming in at #51 is West Virginia, which is followed on the list by Vermont, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and rounding out the below five is Rhode Island. At #46, we have Kansas, then Arkansas at #44, preceded by Maine, North Dakota, and Connecticut.

Want to learn more about unique landmarks and various tourist attractions in every U.S. state? Then have a look at the following books:

• National Geographic Road Atlas
• Fodor’s Best Road Trips in the USA

How about the most visited states by their size or population? This basically reads as a list of states ordered by how many people live in them.

Not even close Austin

California (Population: 39,613,493) Texas (Population: 29,730,311) Florida (Population: 21,944,577) New York (Population: 19,299,981) Pennsylvania (Population: 12,804,123) Illinois (Population: 12,569,321) Ohio (Population: 11714618

Georgia (Population: 10,830,007) North Carolina (Population: 10,701,022) Michigan (Population: 9,992,427

Isn’t Michigan’s population 10 million?

This is completely incorrect information. This is a list based on population not on how many people travel there every year. Sorry but Maine is in the top ten for destination hot spots for vacationers. To be honest I wish it was closer to 44.

not even close Justin

California (Population: 39,613,493) Texas (Population: 29,730,311) Florida (Population: 21,944,577) New York (Population: 19,299,981) Pennsylvania (Population: 12,804,123) Illinois (Population: 12,569,321) Ohio (Population: 11,714,618) Georgia (Population: 10,830,007) North Carolina (Population: 10,701,022) Michigan (Population: 9,992,427

Lmfao clearly you’ve never been here during flat lander season.

so basically you read the first part about California, just the first paragraph, and called it a day?

Source or methodology please?

thats crazy

man thas crazy. va is small. i live there id know lmaoo

9 mil is small to you? also lots of tourism

Gavin Newsom Reveals Record-High Tourism Levels in California

G overnor Gavin Newsom and Visit California CEO Caroline Beteta revealed that tourism spending in California hit a historic high of $150.4 billion last year, surpassing the previous record of $144.9 billion set in 2019.

This milestone underscores California's status as the top state for tourism in the nation, with its attractions drawing visitors from around the globe.

“From our world-renowned coastline, to the world’s tallest trees, to our iconic cities and theme parks, California is the nation’s coming attraction," stated Governor Newsom in a press release . "Visitors from all over the world are coming here to experience the wonder of the Golden State, boosting our economy and creating good-paying jobs for years to come.”

The Economic Impact of Travel in California report, compiled by Dean Runyan Associates and released by Visit California , highlights a 3.8% increase in spending compared to 2019 and a 5.6% increase compared to 2022. Notably, spending exceeded 2019 levels in most counties.

Beteta emphasized the resilience of California's tourism industry, noting its ability to rebound from various challenges.

“California tourism is back where it belongs – setting records and providing for the workers, business owners and all Californians who depend on the travel industry as a cornerstone of our state’s economy. The industry has once again proved its ability to recover from any challenge, whether it be economic or environmental," Beteta said .

The record-breaking tourism expenditure generated $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2023, marking a 3% increase over 2019 and creating 64,900 new jobs, bringing total industry employment to 1,155,000.

California's economic prowess extends beyond tourism, maintaining its position as the world's fifth-largest economy, with a nominal GDP of nearly $3.9 trillion in 2023 and a growth rate of 6.1% since the previous year. Additionally, California boasts the second-largest per capita GDP among major economies.

Governor Newsom also highlighted the state's population growth — by 67,000 in 2023 — for the first time since 2020.

A Detailed Look At How Americans Travel Within The US

New York may have Niagara Falls and the Statue of Liberty, but it's not the most popular state for tourism. 

That title goes to California, which is home to such iconic tourist attractions as the Golden Gate Bridge, Hollywood, and Disneyland.

HotelsCombined, a hotel booking site, produced an infographic that shows the most popular US states to travel to. They analyzed more than 87,000 hotel bookings that originated in the US to determine which states are the most popular tourism destinations.

After California, Florida (No. 2), Nevada (No. 3), Texas (No. 4), and New York (No. 5) dominated over this list. Hawaii came in at No. 10 and Colorado took No. 16. But very few people want to travel to West Virginia, which came in dead last. 

The site also logged which destinations people from each state are interested in visiting most. New Yorkers book the most hotel rooms in Florida, Texans like to travel to California, and Californians like to travel to Nevada.  Ironically, people in Alaska want to visit Hawaii the most—probably for the warm climate change—but no state wants to visit Alaska.

The full infographic is below.

• Main content

What state makes the most money from tourism?

By Audrey Wilson   |   Verified by David Boyd   |   Published June 29, 2023

Tourism is a thriving industry in the United States that attracts millions of visitors from around the world each year.

It's not hard to see why. Renowned for its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, cultural attractions, and iconic landmarks, the U.S. offers a wealth of experiences for travelers seeking adventure, entertainment, and cultural enrichment.

But where do those tourist dollars get spent?

From the sun-soaked beaches of California to the bustling streets of New York, these are the states that benefit most from domestic and international tourism.

Coming up next

Key takeaways, pennsylvania.

• California leads the pack in terms of tourism revenue, generating an impressive $139 billion in 2022.
• The top 10 states by tourism revenue showcase a mix of well-known destinations and unexpected contenders. States like Texas and Pennsylvania, not typically associated with tourism, make the list, highlighting the variety of experiences available throughout the United States.
• The United States offers a wide range of tourist destinations that cater to different interests and preferences. Whether you're seeking sun-soaked beaches in Florida, exploring historical sites in Pennsylvania, or marveling at the natural wonders of Arizona's deserts, there is something for every type of traveler.
• Regardless of your passion, be it history, culinary delights, or adrenaline-pumping adventures, the top 10 states by tourism revenue have attractions and activities that cater to your interests.

$139 billion

California takes the lead in tourism revenue, raking in a staggering $139 billion in 2022 .

The state's appeal lies in its diverse range of attractions, from the enchantment of Disneyland and the glitz of Hollywood to the breathtaking beauty of national parks like Yosemite and Joshua Tree. The allure of California extends beyond its iconic landmarks, as its miles of beaches, mountains, and deserts offer something for every traveler. The year-round temperate weather further enhances its draw, making it a sought-after destination throughout the year.

With its unrivaled combination of entertainment, natural wonders, and favorable climate, California continues to captivate visitors from around the world and remains the crown jewel in terms of tourism revenue. Whether seeking family fun, Hollywood glamour, or outdoor adventures, California promises an unforgettable experience that keeps travelers coming back for more.

$101.9 billion

Florida's tourism industry continues to thrive, with an estimated 35 million travelers visiting during the third quarter of 2022 . This marked a notable increase of 6.9% compared to the previous year and an impressive 8% rise when compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. In 2021, visitors to Florida contributed $101.9 billion to the state's economy and supported over 1.7 million jobs, emphasizing the significant economic impact of tourism.

While the renowned theme parks in Orlando, including Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, continue to attract millions of visitors annually, Florida offers much more beyond these iconic attractions. The state's diverse offerings encompass the breathtaking beauty of the Everglades, the idyllic beaches of the Florida Keys, and the opportunity for unforgettable cruises departing from its shores. With a wide range of experiences, from vibrant cities like Miami and Tampa to pristine coastal areas and unique natural wonders, Florida appeals to travelers seeking adventure, relaxation, or family-oriented fun.

Florida's consistent growth in visitor numbers, coupled with its substantial contributions to the state's economy, highlights the enduring appeal of the Sunshine State as a premier tourist destination. With its favorable climate, diverse attractions, and well-developed tourism infrastructure, Florida continues to captivate travelers from around the world, solidifying its position as a prominent player in the global tourism industry.

$90.7 billion

Nevada, the Silver State, experienced a thriving travel and tourism industry with a significant economic impact. In 2022, the industry generated an impressive $90.7 billion impact on Nevada's economy , surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The renowned city of Las Vegas, with its iconic Strip and world-class resorts, continues to be a major draw for visitors worldwide.

The city's vibrant entertainment, casino scene, and diverse culinary offerings create an atmosphere of excitement and allure. However, Nevada's appeal extends beyond Las Vegas, as the state also boasts stunning natural beauty. The proximity to the Grand Canyon and the breathtaking landscapes of Lake Tahoe provide outdoor enthusiasts with opportunities for exploration and recreational activities.

$67.6 billion

The Lone Star State, is not only a significant player in the travel and tourism industry but also a major contributor to job growth and earnings. In 2022, the industry supported a remarkable 10% increase in travel-related jobs, reaching a total of 1.2 million jobs across the state. These jobs encompass various sectors, including hospitality, transportation, and entertainment. Alongside this job growth, earnings in the travel sector soared to $67.6 billion , further highlighting the economic significance of travel and tourism in Texas.

Texas offers a diverse range of attractions, from the captivating Houston Space Center to the historically significant JFK assassination tour in Dallas. Its varied landscape encompasses deserts, beaches, and mountains, while its cities, such as Austin, Dallas, and Houston, offer distinct vibes and a wealth of cultural experiences.

The state's appeal lies in its ability to cater to different interests and preferences. Whether visitors seek adventure in the scenic deserts, relaxation on the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, or exploration of vibrant urban centers, Texas has something to offer. The economic impact generated by the travel and tourism industry underscores its importance as a key driver of Texas' economy, solidifying the state's position as a noteworthy tourist destination.

$60 billion

The Empire State may not have beaches or theme parks, but its cultural offerings make it a captivating destination. In 2022, the city welcomed a staggering 56.4 million visitors, fueling its economic recovery and supporting around 410,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector. The city's renowned museums, including The Met and MoMA, showcase exceptional art collections, while Broadway enthralls audiences with its world-class theater productions. Iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Central Park add to the city's allure, making it a must-visit for cultural enthusiasts.

Beyond New York City, the state offers additional cultural gems, such as the historic sites of the Hudson River Valley and the scenic beauty of the Finger Lakes region. The cultural richness of New York attracts millions of visitors worldwide, generating over $40 billion in direct visitor spending and contributing to an estimated $60 billion in total economic impact. With its vibrant atmosphere and cultural treasures, New York promises an unforgettable experience for those seeking art, history, and the unique essence of the city that never sleeps.

$38 billion

Pennsylvania's tourism industry has experienced remarkable growth, with nearly 180 million visitors in 2021, marking an increase of over 28 million visitors compared to previous years. These visitors contributed $38.0 billion in direct spending, supporting hotels, restaurants, retailers, and other businesses across the state. The total economic impact of tourism in Pennsylvania reached $66.3 billion in 2021 , sustaining over 450,000 jobs and generating $4.2 billion in state and local tax revenues.

Pennsylvania's allure as a tourist destination lies in its rich history, diverse attractions, and vibrant cities. From the historic landmarks of Philadelphia, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, to the breathtaking landscapes of the Pocono Mountains and the scenic beauty of Lancaster County, the state offers a wide range of experiences. The vibrant cities of Pittsburgh and Harrisburg add to the appeal, providing cultural and recreational opportunities for visitors.

$34.4 billion

Georgia's tourism industry experienced remarkable success in 2021, attracting nearly 200 million visitors who collectively contributed $34.4 billion in direct visitor spending. This robust influx of visitors generated over $4 billion in state and local tax revenues, fueling the state's economy and supporting vital public services. According to state data, the total economic impact of Georgia's tourism industry reached an impressive $64.5 billion , highlighting its significant role in driving economic growth and prosperity.

The appeal of Georgia as a tourist destination lies in its diverse range of attractions and experiences. The dynamic city of Atlanta stands out as a major draw, offering a blend of rich history, cultural landmarks, and modern amenities. From exploring the historic sites associated with Martin Luther King Jr. to immersing oneself in the vibrant arts scene, Atlanta provides an array of captivating experiences. Georgia's natural beauty also shines through its scenic coastal beaches and picturesque mountain ranges, offering opportunities for outdoor adventures and leisure activities.

$32.2 billion

Illinois boasts a robust tourism industry that significantly contributes to the state's economy. In 2021, direct visitor spending reached $32.2 billion, resulting in a remarkable total economic impact of $59.5 billion. This substantial impact not only fuels economic growth but also supports 388,800 jobs and generates $4.3 billion in state and local tax revenue.

With its diverse range of attractions and activities, Illinois offers something for every visitor. Chicago, the state's vibrant metropolis, stands out as a top destination, attracting tourists with its renowned architecture, cultural institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, and vibrant arts scene. Historic sites, such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, provide a glimpse into the state's rich heritage, while nature enthusiasts can explore the scenic beauty of Shawnee National Forest and enjoy outdoor adventures along Lake Michigan's shores.

$53 billion

Ohio's tourism industry reached new heights in 2022, as it recorded a remarkable $53 billion in visitor spending and welcomed a staggering 233 million visitors . This outstanding achievement showcases the state's appeal as a tourist destination and its ability to attract a diverse range of visitors. Furthermore, the industry's growth has had a significant positive impact on Ohio's economy, supporting a substantial workforce of 424,339 seasonal, part-time, and full-time jobs.

Visitors to Ohio are drawn to its wide array of attractions and experiences. The state is home to world-renowned amusement parks, including Cedar Point and Kings Island, which offer thrilling rides and entertainment for all ages. Ohio's vibrant cities, such as Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, provide cultural richness with their museums, art galleries, and professional sports teams, ensuring there's something for everyone. Additionally, Ohio's natural beauty is showcased through scenic locations like Hocking Hills, the picturesque shores of Lake Erie, and the captivating Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

$23.6 billion

Arizona's tourism industry flourishes as visitors are captivated by its warm weather and remarkable natural beauty, making it the state's top export industry in 2021. The year witnessed an impressive 40.9 million visitors who collectively spent $23.6 billion , driving economic growth and supporting job creation. The industry's significant contribution of $3.4 billion in tax revenue translates to an average tax savings of $738 for every Arizona household and supports a workforce of 167,200 industry jobs.

The state's appeal as a tourist destination lies in its stunning landscapes and diverse attractions. The world-famous Grand Canyon stands as a testament to its natural beauty, attracting millions of visitors annually with its awe-inspiring views. From the picturesque Sedona to the breathtaking Monument Valley and the captivating Sonoran Desert, the state offers ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and adventure. Arizona's vibrant cities, including Phoenix and Tucson, provide cultural experiences, renowned golf courses, and a thriving culinary scene that cater to various interests and preferences.

The Bay State may be small, but it packs a punch with $28.3 billion in tourism revenue in 2019. Boston is the centerpiece, with its rich history and famous landmarks like the Freedom Trail and Fenway Park. Still, Massachusetts also offers picturesque coastal areas like Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard and the beautiful Berkshires in the western part of the state.

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Luxury travel and tourism worldwide - statistics & facts

What are the leading luxury hotel brands in the world, how is the luxury cruise market faring, what are the preferences of affluent travelers, key insights.

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• Basic Statistic Most expensive luxury cruise trips on Tripadvisor worldwide 2023

Luxury cruises: average M&A deal value worldwide 2022

Average merger and acquisition deal value in the luxury cruise market worldwide from 2016 to 2022 (in million U.S. dollars)

Passenger capacity of luxury cruise brands worldwide 2022

Passenger capacity of selected luxury cruise brands worldwide in 2022

Number of ships operated by luxury cruise brands worldwide 2022

Number of ships operated by selected luxury cruise brands worldwide in 2022

Most expensive luxury cruise trips on Tripadvisor worldwide 2023

Most expensive luxury cruise trips listed on Tripadvisor worldwide as of August 2023 (in U.S. dollars)

Affluent travelers

• Premium Statistic Share of affluent consumers buying travel products worldwide Q4 2023, by age
• Premium Statistic Affluent consumers expecting to take a vacation worldwide H2 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Preferred types of holiday in the Americas for affluent consumers worldwide Q4 2023
• Premium Statistic Preferred types of holiday in Europe among affluent consumers worldwide Q4 2023
• Premium Statistic Affluent consumers' preferred holiday activities worldwide Q4 2023
• Premium Statistic Interest of affluent consumers in travel and luxury brand partnerships worldwide 2022
• Premium Statistic Interest of affluent consumers in technology to improve holidays worldwide H2 2022

Share of affluent consumers buying travel products worldwide Q4 2023, by age

Share of affluent consumers that purchased travel products worldwide as of 4th quarter 2023, by age

Affluent consumers expecting to take a vacation worldwide H2 2022, by type

Share of affluent consumers that expected to take a holiday within the next year in selected regions worldwide as of 2nd half 2022, by type of vacation

Preferred types of holiday in the Americas for affluent consumers worldwide Q4 2023

Share of global affluent consumers willing to take a holiday in the Americas as of 4th quarter 2023, by type

Preferred types of holiday in Europe among affluent consumers worldwide Q4 2023

Share of global affluent consumers willing to take a holiday in Europe as of 4th quarter 2023, by type

Affluent consumers' preferred holiday activities worldwide Q4 2023

Main holiday activities done by affluent consumers worldwide as of 4th quarter 2023

Interest of affluent consumers in travel and luxury brand partnerships worldwide 2022

Share of affluent consumers that were interested in travel brands partnering with other luxury brands in selected regions worldwide as of 2nd half 2022

Interest of affluent consumers in technology to improve holidays worldwide H2 2022

Share of affluent consumers that were interested in the use of technology to improve their holidays in selected regions worldwide as of 2nd quarter 2022

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What Country Has The Most Prostitution: A Comprehensive Analysis

Prostitution is an age-old practice often dubbed the “world’s oldest profession.” It has persisted throughout history in various forms across the world’s diverse cultures, societies, and geographic locations. Despite moral and legal differences among countries, the phenomenon remains an inescapable reality. A notable question arises: which country has the highest rate of prostitution?

To answer this question, one must first consider the various factors that contribute to the prevalence of prostitution. These can include socioeconomic conditions, legal standing, and cultural norms. In addition, accurate data on this controversial subject is hard to come by, as it often relies on estimates and research on the underground trade. However, it is possible to identify countries with notably high rates of prostitution based on available information.

It is important to remember that a few countries are known for having significant sex industries due to tourism, local demand, or economic necessity. Countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and parts of Germany (where prostitution is legal and regulated) are often mentioned in discussions about the sex industry. However, it’s worth noting that having a visible sex industry doesn’t necessarily mean that these countries have the “most” prostitution; it’s just more visible and regulated.

Key Takeaways

• Determining the country with the most prostitution requires considering socio-economic, legal, and cultural factors.
• Accurate data is difficult to obtain due to the underground nature of the trade.
• High rates of prostitution are observed in various regions, such as South and Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa.

Understanding Prostitution

Prostitution, often called the “world’s oldest profession,” involves exchanging sexual services for money or goods. It is practiced globally, and the individuals involved in this profession, known as sex workers, can be both men and women. The reasons for people entering into sex work are diverse, ranging from financial necessities to personal choices or circumstances.

In many countries, prostitution is illegal and considered a criminal offense, leading to risky underground operations. However, some countries adopt a more open-minded approach and have various levels of legalization or regulation. Decriminalization is another model implemented to reduce the vulnerability and stigmatization of sex workers; it is achieved by treating sex work as a legitimate profession without criminalizing the workers or clients.

There are several ways in which prostitution is practiced, the most common being street prostitution, brothels, and escort services . In street prostitution, sex workers solicit clients in public spaces, often in areas known for such activities. Brothels are usually establishments where sex workers provide services managed by third parties such as pimps or madams. Escort services involve sex workers providing companionship or sexual services to clients at a location of their choice, often hotels or private residences.

When determining which country has the most prostitution, many factors need to be considered. These include the legal status of prostitution, the accessibility of services for sex workers and clients, and the overall demand for paid sexual services. Some estimates suggest that the number of sex workers worldwide is in the millions, but obtaining definitive figures is challenging due to the clandestine nature of the industry and the varying legal status across different countries.

In conclusion, understanding prostitution requires examining the various models, practices, and factors contributing to its prevalence across countries. There is no clear answer to which country has the most prostitution. However, recognizing the industry’s complexities will provide a better understanding of its implications for society and the individuals involved.

Countries with High Rates of Prostitution

Prostitution is a global phenomenon , with some countries having higher rates than others. This section highlights the countries where prostitution is most prevalent.

Germany is known for its legalized prostitution , leading to an increase in sex workers and brothels. In Thailand , sex tourism is a significant part of the economy, attracting tourists worldwide. Brazil  also experiences a high rate of sex tourism, particularly during the Carnival season. In  China , prostitution is technically illegal, but it remains widespread, especially in urban centers.

Colombia  has a large prostitution market, fueled mainly by drug-related violence and poverty. Similarly,  India  and the  Philippines face high rates of prostitution due to poverty and a lack of employment opportunities for women. Prostitution continues to be a pressing issue in  Spain , where it is neither fully legalized nor penalized.

In  Australia ,  Finland ,  Bolivia , and the  Netherlands , sex work is somewhat regulated, leading to tolerance toward the industry. While illegal in France  and  Denmark , prostitution still occurs in these countries, partly due to their attractiveness to tourists.

In  Mexico , the  United States ,  Argentina ,  Canada , and  Nevada (where it is legal), prostitution levels are considerable, with authorities striving to regulate or combat the industry. In Asian countries like  Japan ,  South Korea , and  New Zealand , prostitution remains a significant issue despite efforts to combat the trade.

In some European countries, such as  Lithuania ,  Austria ,  Latvia ,  Croatia ,  Czech Republic ,  Turkey ,  Belgium ,  Italy , and  Slovenia , prostitution remains a contentious issue, with varying degrees of regulation or penalties in place. Finally, even in countries like  Zimbabwe,  where prostitution is illegal, it remains prevalent as an underground business.

The factors driving high rates of prostitution in these nations include poverty, unemployment, drug addiction, and global demand for sex services. It is essential to consider these factors when discussing prostitution in a given country.

Trafficking and Prostitution

Human trafficking, including sex trafficking, is a global problem that affects millions of people each year. Exploitation in the form of prostitution is prevalent in countries with high rates of trafficking victims. This section will discuss the connection between trafficking and prostitution, focusing on the country with the most prostitution.

Many sources have ranked Venezuela with the highest number of prostitutes per capita. The country’s worsening socio-economic and political situation has forced numerous women into prostitution, often involving trafficking and exploitation. The traffickers commonly target vulnerable individuals, luring them into sex trafficking with false promises of better lives and opportunities.

In addition to Venezuela, other countries such as Thailand, Nigeria, and Brazil have been recognized for their high rates of human trafficking and prostitution. Most victims in these situations endure physical and psychological abuse, forced labor, and restriction of their freedom.

Traffickers employ various methods to control and exploit their victims, such as debt bondage, threats of violence, and manipulation of personal documents. The victims are often marginalized individuals, including migrants, refugees, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. This makes it challenging for them to escape their dire circumstances and regain control of their lives.

International and local organizations work tirelessly to combat trafficking and prostitution through preventive measures, awareness campaigns, and law enforcement. A holistic approach is required to tackle the root causes of these issues, such as poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality.

In conclusion, the close connection between trafficking and prostitution is evident across many countries, with Venezuela currently holding the title for the highest rates of prostitution. Efforts to reduce these issues continue, and it remains crucial for governments and organizations to recognize and address the underlying factors that enable trafficking and exploitation to thrive.

Child Prostitution and Exploitation

Child prostitution and exploitation is a global issue affecting millions of minors worldwide. The trade thrives in various countries due to poverty, lack of education, and weak law enforcement. However, certain nations report higher instances of child prostitution and exploitation than others.

In some Asian countries, child prostitution is a significant problem, with minors being trafficked and exploited within their borders or across international borders.  Thailand  and  Cambodia are two countries in the region where child prostitution has been historically prevalent. In these nations, organized crime networks and impoverished families contribute to minors’ recruitment, sale, and exploitation.

• Thailand: This country has been long associated with child prostitution, particularly due to its thriving commercial sex industry. Children from poor families in rural areas are often trafficked to urban centers or tourist destinations and forced into prostitution.
• Cambodia:  Like Thailand, child prostitution in Cambodia stems from poverty and increasing demand from tourists, expatriates, and even locals. Children in Cambodia are often lured by promises of better lives, only to find themselves trapped in a life of exploitation.

In  Africa , countries like  Nigeria  and  South Africa  grapple with widespread child prostitution, as well. Economic hardship and limited education opportunities push many vulnerable minors into the sex industry.

• Nigeria:  Nigeria experiences high rates of internal and cross-border trafficking. Many girls and young women are coerced into prostitution, often in neighboring countries or even as far as Europe.
• South Africa: Despite strong legal frameworks, child prostitution remains a problem in South Africa. Factors such as income inequality, increased migration, and widespread sexual abuse contribute to the exploitation of minors in the country.

Latin America  is another region where child prostitution is a critical issue. Countries like  Brazil  and  Colombia  have received increased attention for their struggles to combat the exploitation of minors.

• Brazil:  Brazil is a known destination for child sex tourism, with minors exploited in tourist-heavy regions like the Northeast coast. The country has taken steps to address the problem, but limited resources and social acceptance of the sex industry contribute to its continued prevalence.
• Colombia: Colombia deals with both domestic and international trafficking of children for sexual exploitation. Organized crime networks play a significant role in these operations, capitalizing on unstable socioeconomic conditions to prey on vulnerable minors.

While comparisons or attempts to rank countries would be inappropriate, it is crucial to recognize that child prostitution and exploitation are pervasive issues affecting many nations. Efforts to address and combat this reprehensible practice must continue, focusing on providing access to education, reducing poverty, and strengthening legal protections for minors.

Legal Status and Regulations

In various countries, the legal status and regulations regarding prostitution differ significantly. Some countries have chosen to legalize and regulate prostitution, while others have opted for decriminalization or a strict prohibitionist approach.

In countries where prostitution is legal and regulated, such as Germany and the Netherlands, sex work is considered legitimate. Professional sex workers must register with the authorities and adhere to specific regulations. However, some have criticized this approach as it may increase the demand for sex services and potentially exacerbate human trafficking issues.

On the other hand, countries like New Zealand and some parts of Australia have chosen to decriminalize prostitution. These countries do not treat sex work as a criminal act but instead regulate the industry to protect sex workers’ rights and minimize harm. Decriminalization has been praised for promoting a safer work environment for sex workers while maintaining some control over the industry.

Some countries like Sweden, Norway, and France follow abolitionist or neo-abolitionist policies. These countries criminalize the purchase of sexual services but not the sale, effectively targeting clients of sex workers rather than the workers themselves. The approach aims to reduce the demand for prostitution services while supporting sex workers in leaving the industry.

Prohibitionist policies are adopted by countries where engaging in or soliciting prostitution is considered criminal under federal law. In these nations, both sex workers and clients face legal penalties . Examples of countries with prohibitionist policies are the United States (except for some counties in Nevada) and some parts of Asia.

It is essential to note that the legal status and regulations surrounding prostitution directly impact the prevalence of sex work within each respective country. While it is difficult to determine which approach is most effective in curbing the industry’s prevalence, understanding the various legal models can provide insight into the complexities of regulating prostitution.

Prostitution Establishments

Regarding the number of prostitution establishments, it is commonly acknowledged that Germany and the Netherlands have the most arranged systems for such facilities. Both countries have legalized and regulated prostitution, which has led to the establishment of numerous brothels, red-light districts, and prostitution rings.

In Germany, brothels are legal and widespread across the country. These establishments range from the luxurious and world-famous “Pascha” in Cologne, one of Europe’s largest brothels, to smaller, less luxurious facilities in various cities. Brothels in Germany generally have specific regulations and are obliged to follow strict health and safety guidelines.

The Netherlands is another country where prostitution establishments are legalized and regulated. Amsterdam’s red-light district, “De Wallen,” is one of the world’s most renowned and notorious areas where sex workers operate legally. The red-light district consists of a network of alleys, streets, and canals where sex workers display themselves in window parlors, attracting tourists and locals. Dutch establishments like German brothels must follow strict health and safety regulations to protect sex workers and clients.

Other countries with legalized or regulated prostitution, such as Switzerland, Austria, and some regions in Nevada, USA, have also seen an increase in prostitution establishments. These countries or regions have licensed brothels and red-light districts that offer varying levels of luxury and affordability.

In conclusion, certain nations with legalized and regulated prostitution systems, such as Germany and the Netherlands, have numerous prostitution establishments, including brothels and red-light districts. Strict regulations and health guidelines ensure that these establishments maintain a safe environment for workers and clients, contributing to the prevalence and acceptance of these types of establishments in those countries.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Prostitution is a global phenomenon that can be associated with the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. The prevalence of STIs varies greatly from country to country, but some general trends can be identified.

In countries where prostitution is widespread, the rate of STIs among sex workers and their clients may be higher than in the general population. This is mainly due to the lack of comprehensive campaigns promoting condom use and regular testing and the social stigma associated with these practices. The proper use of condoms is crucial in minimizing the risk of STIs, including HIV.

In some countries where prostitution is legal and regulated, STI rates tend to be lower. This is usually the result of government intervention, ensuring that sex workers have access to healthcare services and receive regular health check-ups, often including screening for STIs. Additionally, regulations in these countries often require mandatory condom use during sexual encounters, greatly reducing the spread of infections.

It is important to note that STI rates are subject to multiple factors, such as general public health policy measures, access to healthcare, and cultural norms around sexual behavior. Therefore, it can be difficult to draw direct conclusions from the data on prostitution and STI prevalence.

The global fight against HIV has significantly improved prevention, testing, and treatment services. However, sex workers, particularly in countries where prostitution is illegal or unregulated, still face a higher risk of contracting HIV. It is essential to continue pushing for comprehensive, evidence-based prevention strategies for all populations, including sex workers, to curb the spread of STIs and maintain public health.

Gender and Prostitution

Prostitution is a complex and multifaceted issue, with gender playing a significant role in its prevalence and dynamics. In most countries, women make up most of those involved in prostitution, although there are also cases of male and transgender sex workers. This section explores the gender dimension of prostitution, focusing on the various factors that influence the involvement of men, women, and transgender individuals in the sex trade.

Women are generally more vulnerable to exploitation in prostitution due to a variety of factors. Societal norms and expectations often place greater pressure on women to conform to traditional gender roles, leading to limited economic opportunities and increased dependence on male providers. Additionally, women may face greater social stigma and discrimination when trying to exit prostitution, further complicating their situation.

Men, although a minority within the context of prostitution, face their unique challenges. Often, male sex workers cater to a predominantly male clientele and, as a result, may experience both homophobia and misogyny. While male prostitutes are less common in some countries, they still exist in many parts of the world, often catering to niche markets or working in locations such as public spaces or online platforms.

Transgender individuals, particularly transgender women, are also disproportionately represented in prostitution. This can be attributed to the multiple layers of discrimination and marginalization they face in society. Like cisgender women, transgender sex workers may be particularly vulnerable to violence, harassment, and exploitation due to their marginalized status.

In addressing the issue of prostitution, it is crucial to recognize and consider the various gender-related factors that contribute to the involvement of men, women, and transgender individuals in the sex trade. By understanding these factors, policymakers and stakeholders can develop more effective strategies to tackle the root causes of prostitution and ensure the protection and empowerment of all those affected, regardless of their gender identity.

Cultural Aspects of Prostitution

In many cultures worldwide, prostitution has been accepted as a part of society. In the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, the attitudes toward prostitution vary significantly depending on the region and cultural background.

Caribbean: In some countries, prostitution is tolerated or even legal, such as in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The cultural attitude in these nations is less severe toward sex work, and tourists often contribute to the demand for the industry. However, this does not mean that there aren’t negative consequences for those involved in prostitution, such as social stigma and vulnerability to violence, disease, or exploitation.

Central America: In Central American countries like Costa Rica, prostitution is legal and regulated, with sex workers required to register and undergo regular health checks. Despite these regulations, the cultural perception of sex work is still largely negative, and prostitutes are often looked down upon. In contrast, countries like Nicaragua have completely outlawed prostitution, and cultural attitudes toward sex work are much more conservative.

South America:  In South America, the cultural aspects of prostitution differ significantly between countries. For example, Argentina and Colombia allow legal prostitution , while sex work is illegal in Venezuela and Suriname. The cultural acceptance of prostitution may also differ within these countries based on regional differences and socioeconomic factors.

The influence of religion, such as Catholicism and other Christian denominations, can contribute to the cultural attitudes towards prostitution. In heavily religious areas, sex work may be more stigmatized and face societal disapproval due to teachings around sex and morality.

While some locations might have a more lenient attitude towards prostitution, it is essential to recognize that sex workers often face significant risks, including violence, abuse, and social exclusion. As cultural attitudes and legal regulations continue to evolve, a more nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding prostitution worldwide is necessary for addressing the concerns and well-being of sex workers in various societies.

Sex Tourism

Sex tourism is a multi-billion-dollar global industry that often involves exchanging sexual services for money or other rewards. Prostitution laws vary greatly from country to country, leading some to have a higher prevalence of sex tourism. In countries where prostitution is legal or tolerated, sex tourism can be a significant industry.

Thailand is one of the most well-known destinations for sex tourism, with its thriving red-light districts that attract thousands of tourists annually. Legalizing prostitution has allowed for a regulated industry with designated areas for sex work. In contrast, in other countries like  Brazil , where prostitution is also legal but still heavily associated with human trafficking, the industry is more clandestine.

The  Netherlands  is another famous destination for sex tourism due to its legalization of prostitution. The city of Amsterdam has an iconic red-light district where sex work is regulated and monitored by the government, providing a safe and controlled environment for both tourists and workers.

Another important aspect of sex tourism is the demand for specific demographics of sex workers, such as minors or people from certain countries or ethnic backgrounds. This demand contributes to the trafficking and exploitation of these vulnerable populations. For example, Cambodia has been a major destination for child sex tourism, although concerted government and international organizations’ efforts have decreased its prevalence in recent years.

In some instances, sex tourism occurs in countries with harsh anti-prostitution laws. The  Dominican Republic is an example of a popular tourist destination with strict laws against prostitution, yet the industry continues to thrive. In these cases, lacking regulation and enforcement often leads to more dangerous working conditions and a higher likelihood of exploitation.

In conclusion, the prevalence of sex tourism is tied to various factors, such as the legality and regulation of prostitution, cultural attitudes toward sex work, and the demand for specific demographics of sex workers. Countries that have legalized and regulated prostitution often experience a higher prevalence of sex tourism, enabling better monitoring and control to protect workers and tourists.

Prostitution in Unique Regions

Prostitution is a global issue that varies in prevalence and legality. Unique regions such as Greenland and territories worldwide shed light on the complexity of this social issue.

In Greenland, prostitution is not explicitly illegal, but it is considered a part of “anti-social behavior,” which local authorities discourage. The remote nature of the territory contributes to the lack of resources to combat prostitution. Limited law enforcement, difficulty accessing healthcare, and cultural factors influence the landscape of prostitution in Greenland.

In territories worldwide, prostitution laws and practices differ significantly. For example:

• Puerto Rico , a territory of the United States, maintains a strict policy against prostitution. Relying on the US federal legislation, it prosecutes those involved in sex work as criminals.
• In the  French Territories , such as Martinique and Guadeloupe, prostitution follows the legal framework of France. It is legal for individuals to engage in sex work, but activities surrounding the trade, such as brothels and pimping, are prohibited.
• In the  Australian Territories of Norfolk Island and Christmas Island, local laws dictate the legality of sex work. While Australian federal law allows sex work, individual territories have the power to establish their laws.

Geographic location, governance, healthcare, and cultural context influence prostitution in unique regions. Examining these areas shows that addressing this global issue requires an in-depth understanding of these complexities.

Contrasting Practices

In some countries,  prostitution is legal and regulated; in others, it is illegal and often associated with criminal activities, such as procuring ,  selling , and  pimping . This variation in legislation and social attitudes leads to contrasting practices in the global context.

Sex workers operate differently across regions, with some countries having legalized and regulated workforces. Examples include Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, where licensed brothels and red-light districts provide a safer and regulated environment. This system allows sex workers to obtain regular health checks, benefit from labor laws, and gain protection from potentially abusive clients.

In contrast, in countries where prostitution is illegal, such as the majority of the United States (excluding Nevada), or where it is allowed but associated services like brothels and pimping are forbidden, like in the United Kingdom – the landscape is much different. Sex workers often operate underground, making workers and clients vulnerable to violence, disease, and exploitation. In these cases, sex workers may have no legal recourse or support when faced with an abusive client or employer.

• Procuring : Outlawed in many nations, procuring includes a range of activities such as operating a brothel, recruiting sex workers for employment, or otherwise facilitating the work of a sex worker for financial gain. The consequences of procuring differ depending on the jurisdiction, but it is typically criminalized to reduce harm to sex workers and prevent associated criminal activity.
• Pimping : The act of profiting from a sex worker’s activity, usually by managing or leading the worker. Pimping is frowned upon in societies that condemn exploitation and is often illegal, though not always. It may become problematic in jurisdictions where it remains legal, as it potentially fosters exploitation and could encourage trafficking.

Efforts to curb exploitation and maintain safety in the sex industry vary between countries. In places where prostitution is legalized and regulated, prostitution rates may be higher than in places where it is prohibited. However, it does not provide a definitive answer as to which country experiences the highest level of prostitution, as accurate data on this topic is often unavailable or inconsistent due to the clandestine nature of the subject matter.

Prostitution in South and Central American Countries

In  Mexico , prostitution is decriminalized, but procuring and pimping are illegal. Prostitution occurs in various forms, from street sex workers to brothels and even online. However, human trafficking is a significant issue in Mexico, and many sex workers fall victim to this crime.

Brazil  has legalized prostitution, but brothels and pimping are against the law. Despite this, illegal prostitution venues exist in larger urban centers. Brazil’s legal system also aims to protect the rights of sex workers, offering some social benefits to those registered as professionals in this field.

In  Argentina , prostitution is allowed, but brothels and promoting prostitution are prohibited. Sex workers often work independently or in discreet venues. Due to economic instability in some regions, sex tourism has become increasingly popular but remains controversial.

Costa Rica  maintains a similar legal framework, permitting prostitution but forbidding pimping and brothels. The country is largely acknowledged as a popular destination for sex tourism. In  Peru , prostitution is legal but only in licensed brothels, with illegal prostitution venues still operating.

Venezuela  faces great economic and political challenges. Prostitution is technically illegal, but it has become more common due to the worsening crisis. Poverty and lack of opportunities have pushed many people into sex work, often with dangerous consequences.

In  Cuba , prostitution is not explicitly illegal, but it is not regulated either, leading to an ambiguous legal situation.  The Dominican Republic  also experiences widespread prostitution, though it remains illegal. Poverty and sex tourism remain driving factors in such circumstances.

Ecuador ,  Guatemala ,  Honduras , and  Nicaragua  all have illegal prostitution as well. In these countries, poor economic conditions, violence, and a lack of social support compel many people to engage in sex work. In  Panama , prostitution is legal and regulated; however, organized activities such as brothels and pimping are prohibited.

Paraguay ,  Uruguay , and  Jamaica  legalized prostitution but continue to face problems like human trafficking, underage prostitution, and the prevalence of illegal establishments. Effective law enforcement and monitoring are essential to improve the situation for sex workers and mitigate related risks.

Despite varying legal statuses among South and Central American countries, prostitution remains a complex societal issue intertwined with economic hardship, poverty, and inadequate social programs.

Prostitution in the Caribbean

The Caribbean region, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, also has a dark side when it comes to  prostitution . Across several countries, including Belize, Jamaica, and various other islands, the prevalence of sex work remains a significant concern.

In  Belize , prostitution is technically legal, but associated activities such as operating brothels or soliciting sex are not. Unfortunately, these legal distinctions have done little to curb the widespread practice, which often takes place in clandestine establishments. Poverty, inequality, and limited job opportunities are some factors that contribute to individuals turning to sex work as a means of survival in Belize.

Jamaica faces a similar situation, with sex work being a prevalent issue. Like Belize, Jamaica’s economy also struggles with poverty and unemployment, leading some individuals to prostitution. Despite being illegal, the practice of prostitution continues to thrive. This is often due to a lack of enforcement of anti-prostitution laws and a thriving tourism industry that attracts foreigners seeking sexual activities.

In smaller Caribbean countries such as the Dominican Republic, prostitution is legal and more regulated. However, sex trafficking remains a pressing issue in certain parts of the region, as there is a demand for commercial sex services.

• Poverty and unemployment: Major drivers of prostitution in the region
• Legal status: Varies across countries, from fully illegal to regulated
• Impact on broader society: Increase in sexually transmitted infections and human trafficking prevalent in the region

The Caribbean struggles with the impacts of widespread prostitution, as it not only affects the individuals directly involved but also contributes to broader social issues, such as human rights abuses and public health problems.

Prostitution in Asia

Asia is home to various cultures, religions, and societies, which have different perspectives on sex work. The prevalence of prostitution in countries such as China, Thailand, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, and South Korea can be attributed to various factors such as socio-economic conditions, political conditions, and historical factors.

China has a large population, and the demand for sex work has grown rapidly. Prostitution is illegal in China but remains widespread, particularly in cities and tourist regions. In recent years, the Chinese government has increased its efforts to combat human trafficking and illegal sex trade, but the industry continues to thrive underground. The rise in prostitution can be attributed to rapid urbanization, migration, and economic pressures.

Thailand is known for its booming sex industry, partially driven by tourism. Although prostitution is technically illegal, it is widely tolerated, and many red-light districts cater to locals and foreigners. The country’s economic difficulties and cultural acceptance of sex work have contributed to the prevalence of prostitution in Thailand. While the government has initiated crackdowns on illicit sex trade in recent years, these measures have had limited success.

India has a complex relationship with prostitution, where it is legal to practice sex work but illegal to solicit or operate a brothel. The country has a large population, and poverty is a significant driver of prostitution. The caste system, gender inequality, and lack of education further contribute to the problem. Despite efforts by NGOs and the government to support sex workers, India still has a high prevalence of prostitution.

In the  Philippines , prostitution is illegal, but it remains a widespread issue. Economic factors like poverty, lack of job opportunities, and low wages drive individuals into sex work. The country’s tourism industry also contributes to the demand for prostitution. Efforts by government agencies and international organizations have been made to curb sex trafficking and improve the welfare of sex workers, but the industry remains active.

Malaysia has strict prostitution laws, but the reality is that the sex industry continues to boom. The country attracts foreign sex workers due to its relatively stable economy and proximity to more impoverished Southeast Asian countries. The demand is fueled by local and foreign clientele, and although the government has periodically launched crackdowns, prostitution remains a complex issue in Malaysia.

South Korea  has long battled issues related to prostitution. Prostitution is illegal in the country, but it takes place discreetly in various forms, such as massage parlors, KTV bars, and karaoke rooms. There have been efforts by the government to enforce stricter regulations on the sex industry, but it remains a significant latent problem. Social stigma is a major barrier to addressing the issue.

Prostitution in Africa

In Africa, the issue of prostitution varies from country to country, with some nations exhibiting higher rates than others. Two such countries are Kenya and Zimbabwe.

In  Kenya , prostitution is a widespread phenomenon driven by poverty, unemployment, and lack of education. The Kenyan government has tried to address the issue, but progress has been slow due to limited resources and socio-cultural constraints. Kenyan prostitutes, both male, and female, offer their services in various settings, including street corners, bars, and brothels. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS among sex workers in Kenya is a major concern, as these individuals are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.

On the other hand, Zimbabwe has experienced increased prostitution, primarily due to its troubled economic situation. The country’s hyperinflation, high unemployment, and political instability have driven many citizens to turn to prostitution for survival. Though aware of the issue, the Zimbabwean government has not been able to effectively address it or provide adequate support to those who have become involved in the industry.

In both countries, sex workers often face significant stigma and discrimination, further accentuating the issue. Additionally, the lack of proper legislation and enforcement around prostitution has allowed human trafficking and exploitation to flourish in these regions.

It is clear that tackling the problem of prostitution in Africa, specifically in countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe, requires comprehensive and sustained efforts. This includes addressing the root causes, improving access to education and healthcare, and implementing effective policies that protect the welfare and rights of sex workers.

Israel’s Shift in Prostitution Laws: Protecting Sex Workers and Criminalizing Buyers

In a landmark move, Israel undertook a progressive shift in its approach to prostitution. Historically, the country had a stance where it was illegal for sex workers to offer services, yet paradoxically, those paying for such services were not subject to any legal repercussions. This placed the onus and risk predominantly on the sex workers, exposing them to potential legal and personal hazards.

Recognizing the inherent vulnerabilities and dangers faced by sex workers, Israel’s legislative framework underwent a transformative change. To safeguard the rights and safety of these individuals, the country decriminalized the act of offering sexual services. Instead, the legal spotlight was shifted onto the buyers of these services, criminalizing the act of purchasing sex.

This legislative pivot reflects the “Nordic Model” or “Swedish Model,” which focuses on the belief that criminalizing buyers can reduce demand for prostitution, indirectly curbing the industry and offering protection to sex workers. Through this approach, Israel seeks to strike a balance between acknowledging the realities of sex work while striving to reduce its prevalence and the exploitations associated with it.

The Dark Underbelly: Trafficking, Exploitation, and Coercion in Sex Work

While it’s essential to discuss and analyze the legal aspects of prostitution, we cannot turn a blind eye to the grim realities that many sex workers face. Behind the industry’s veil lies many stories of pain, manipulation, and entrapment.

Many sex workers worldwide are victims of human trafficking, forcibly transported across borders and trapped in a life they never chose. Vulnerable populations, like runaways, often find themselves ensnared in this trade, looking for a means of survival but ending up in the clutches of exploiters.

Additionally, there’s a distressing trend where women are compelled into the profession by those they trust – boyfriends, acquaintances, or even family members. They’re often lured with promises of a better life, only to be entrapped in a cycle of debt they’re told they owe and must work off through sex work.

The narrative of women being tricked into needing to “work off” debts is a classic modus operandi used by traffickers and pimps to maintain control over their victims. This debt bondage ties the individual to their trafficker, creating a seemingly inescapable cycle of exploitation.

It’s imperative to approach sex work with sensitivity and nuance, understanding that while some enter the industry by choice, others are caught in a web of deceit, manipulation, and force. This underscores the importance of robust legal systems and social support networks to protect the rights and well-being of sex workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has the highest rate of prostitution.

It is difficult to determine the country with the highest rate of prostitution due to varying legal statuses and under-reporting. However, some studies suggest that countries with high poverty rates and limited economic opportunities, such as Venezuela and some African nations, might have a higher prevalence of prostitution.

In which countries is prostitution legal?

Prostitution is legal in several countries, including Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and some parts of Nevada in the United States. Laws regarding sex work vary widely across the globe, with some countries regulating the industry while others criminalize all forms of sex work.

What are the most known places for prostitution?

Famous red-light districts known for prostitution include the Reeperbahn in Hamburg, Germany; De Wallen in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Kabukicho in Tokyo, Japan; and Soi Cowboy in Bangkok, Thailand. These areas attract tourists and offer a variety of adult entertainment, including sex work.

What are the worldwide statistics on prostitution?

Global statistics on prostitution are difficult to obtain due to differences in legal status and under-reporting. However, it is estimated that there are around 42 million sex workers worldwide, most female. In some countries, sex work accounts for a significant percentage of the GDP, such as in Thailand, estimated at around 10%.

Where do prostitutes make the most money?

Prostitutes can potentially make the most money in countries where the sex industry is legal and well-regulated, such as Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. In these countries, sex workers have access to health care, regular check-ups, and legal protection, which allows them to charge higher fees for their services.

What is the biggest red light area in the world?

The biggest red light area in the world is believed to be the Sonagachi district in Kolkata, India. It is estimated that around 10,000 to 12,000 sex workers are active in this area and reside in multi-storied brothels. This location is characterized by extreme poverty and difficult living conditions for its inhabitants.

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More From Forbes

China market update: tourism data rebounds.

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Asian equities were higher overnight, led by Mainland China’s reopening following its Labor Day holiday, though Japan was closed for Children’s Day, South Korea was closed for Substitution Holiday, and Thailand was closed for Coronation Day.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported “total domestic travel in China was 295 million person-times, a year-on-year increase of 7.6% and an increase of 28.2% versus 2019” and the “total cost of domestic tourists traveling was 166.89 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.7% and a growth rate of 13.5%” versus 2019.

Real estate policy support continues to be amplified as Shenzhen clarified home purchase restriction adjustments after Beijing’s similar move last week received media attention. Hong Kong had a choppy morning but grinded higher to close near intra-day highs on high volumes that were 146% of the 1-year average.

Mainland investors were active via Southbound Stock Connect, buying a healthy net $650 million worth of Hong Kong-listed ETFs and stocks, including the Hong Kong Tracker ETF, which was a large net buy. The ETF purchases require market makers to hedge, which spiked short-selling turnover, though it wasn’t outright short-selling but hedging.

Hong Kong’s most heavily traded stocks by value were Tencent, which gained +1.59%, Meituan, which gained +0.50%, Alibaba, which gained +0.38%, CNOOC, which fell -2.68%, and AIA, which gained +1.87%. I sense that trading desks’ mood appears to be picking up though skepticism about the rally remains high, which is great news to me. Going from underweight to neutral would be a big move for Chinese equities. Over the last five trading days, three US-listed China equity ETFs received net inflows, i.e. increases in shares outstanding. Meanwhile, three had net outflows and decreases in shares outstanding, including one that lost -8.5% of their shares outstanding last week. The pain trade is higher, in my opinion!

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Mainland China reopened after bring off since last Tuesday. Shanghai and Shenzhen rose and stayed there on strong breath (i.e. advancers versus decliners) and good volume that increased to 130% of the 1-year average. Railroad stocks were higher following the implementation of surge pricing. Foreign investors bought a healthy net $1.29 billion worth of Mainland stocks, including Kweichow Moutai, which saw significant net buying.

CNY made a strong move versus the US dollar, closing today at 7.21 CNY per USD versus last Tuesday’s 7.24 CNY per USD, indicating appreciation.

The April Caixin Services PMI release of 52.5 versus expectations of 52.5 and Marchs’ 52.7 received little attention overnight.

President Xi arrived in France today to talk trade with President Macron.

Interestingly, Geely Automobile is looking to pursue an IPO of its electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr in the US.

Berkshire Hathaway’s BRK.B annual shareholder meeting is a big event for Chinese investors, many of whom will be making the pilgrimage to Omaha. Chinese financial media noted the company’s massive cash position and Warren Buffett’s comments on waiting to deploy it.

The Hang Seng and Hang Seng Tech indexes gained +0.55% and +0.92%, respectively, on volume that increased +24.35% from Friday, which is 146% of the 1-year average. 296 stocks advanced while 189 declined. Main Board short turnover increased +34.06% from Friday, which is 145% of the 1-year average, as 18% of turnover was short turnover (Hong Kong shore turnover includes ETF market makers’ hedging). The value factor outperformed the growth factor. The top-performing sectors were Utilities, which gained +1.88%, Industrials, which gained +1.69%, and Health Care, which gained +1.60%. Meanwhile, Real Estate fell -2.38%. The top-performing subsectors were media and capital goods. Meanwhile, Real Estate services and food & beverages were among the worst-performing. Southbound Stock Connect volumes were light as Mainland investors bought a net $650 million worth of Hong Kong-listed stocks and ETFs, including the Hong Kong Tracker ETF, which was a large net buy, and the Bank of China and Li Auto, which were small net buys.

Shanghai, Shenzhen, and the STAR Board gained +1.16%, +2.07%, and +1.33%, respectively, on volume that increased +6.97% from last Tuesday, which is 130% of the 1-year average. 4,435 stocks advanced while 762 declined. All factors were positive as the growth factor and small caps outperformed the value factor and large caps. All sectors were positive, including Consumer Staples, which gained +3.22%, Health Care, which gained +2.91%, and Consumer Discretionary, which gained +2.47%. The top-performing subsectors were motorcycles, chemicals, and chemical fibers. Meanwhile, telecom, oil & gas, and computer hardware were among the worst-performing sectors. Northbound Stock Connect volumes were light, as foreign investors bought a healthy net $1.29 billion worth of Mainland stocks, including Kweichow Moutai, which was a large net buy, and LXJM and China Merchants Bank, which were small net buys. Meanwhile, Midea Group, Focus Media and Nari-Tech were moderate net sells. CNY and the Asia Dollar Index were higher versus the US dollar. The Treasury curve steepened. Steel gained while copper was off.

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China Market Connect March 2024: Marching in Asia

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Last Night's Performance

Last night’s exchange rates, prices, & yields.

• CNY per USD 7.20 versus 7.24 Friday
• CNY per EUR 7.77 versus 7.79 Friday
• Yield on 1-Day Government Bond 1.44% versus 1.43% Friday
• Yield on 10-Year Government Bond 2.31% versus 2.30% Friday
• Yield on 10-Year China Development Bank Bond 2.40% versus 2.41% Friday
• Copper Price -1.06%
• Steel Price +1.14%

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Money blog: Major free childcare change kicks in today as parents of younger children can now apply

From today, eligible parents of children from nine-months-old in England can register for 15 free hours of childcare per week. Read this and the rest of our Weekend Money features, and leave a comment, and we'll be back with rolling personal finance and consumer news on Monday.

Sunday 12 May 2024 11:59, UK

Weekend Money

• Free childcare applications open for new age band
• 'Loud budgeting': The money-saving trend that has nothing to do with giving up your daily coffee
• What is most in-demand period property?
• £12m tea advert, downsizing, £320 tasting menus and job interview mistakes: What readers have said this week
• Where has huge week for UK economy left us?

Best of the week

• How to avoid a holiday data roaming charge (while still using the internet)
• Mortgage rates up again this week - here are the best deals on the market
• My daughter discovered undeclared £600 management fee after buying her flat - can we complain?
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Ask a question or make a comment

From Sunday, eligible working parents of children from nine-months-old in England will be able to register for access to up to 15 free hours of government-funded childcare per week.

This will then be granted from September. 

Check if you're eligible  here  - or read on for our explainer on free childcare across the UK.

Three and four year olds

In England, all parents of children aged three and four in England can claim 15 hours of free childcare per week, for 1,140 hours (38 weeks) a year, at an approved provider.

This is a universal offer open to all.

It can be extended to 30 hours where both parents (or the sole parent) are in work, earn the weekly minimum equivalent of 16 hours at the national minimum or living wage, and have an income of less than £100,000 per year.

Two year olds

Previously, only parents in receipt of certain benefits were eligible for 15 hours of free childcare.

But, as of last month, this was extended to working parents.

This is not a universal offer, however.

A working parent must earn more than £8,670 but less than £100,000 per year. For couples, the rule applies to both parents.

Nine months old

In September, this same 15-hour offer will be extended to working parents of children aged from nine months. From 12 May, those whose children will be at least nine months old on 31 August can apply to received the 15 hours of care from September.

From September 2025

The final change to the childcare offer in England will be rolled out in September 2025, when eligible working parents of all children under the age of five will be able to claim 30 hours of free childcare a week.

In some areas of Wales, the Flying Start early years programme offers 12.5 hours of free childcare for 39 weeks, for eligible children aged two to three. The scheme is based on your postcode area, though it is currently being expanded.

All three and four-year-olds are entitled to free early education of 10 hours per week in approved settings during term time under the Welsh government's childcare offer.

Some children of this age are entitled to up to 30 hours per week of free early education and childcare over 48 weeks of the year. The hours can be split - but at least 10 need to be used on early education.

To qualify for this, each parent must earn less than £100,000 per year, be employed and earn at least the equivalent of working 16 hours a week at the national minimum wage, or be enrolled on an undergraduate, postgraduate or further education course that is at least 10 weeks in length.

All three and four-year-olds living in Scotland are entitled to at least 1,140 hours per year of free childcare, with no work or earnings requirements for parents. 

This is usually taken as 30 hours per week over term time (38 weeks), though each provider will have their own approach.

Some households can claim free childcare for two-year-olds. To be eligible you have to be claiming certain benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit, or have a child that is in the care of their local council or living with you under a guardianship order or kinship care order.

Northern Ireland

There is no scheme for free childcare in Northern Ireland. Some other limited support is available.

Working parents can access support from UK-wide schemes such as tax credits, Universal Credit, childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare.

Aside from this, all parents of children aged three or four can apply for at least 12.5 hours a week of funded pre-school education during term time. But over 90% of three-year-olds have a funded pre-school place - and of course this is different to childcare.

What other help could I be eligible for?

Tax-free childcare  - Working parents in the UK can claim up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of their children to help with childcare costs. 

If the child is disabled, the amount goes up to £1,000 every three months (up to £4,000 a year).

To claim the benefit, parents will need to open a tax-free childcare account online. For every 80p paid into the account, the government will top it up by 20p.

The scheme is available until the September after the child turns 11.

Universal credit  - Working families on universal credit can claim back up to 85% of their monthly childcare costs, as long as the care is paid for upfront. The most you can claim per month is £951 for one child or £1,630 for two or more children.

Tax credits -  People claiming working tax credit can get up to 70% of what they pay for childcare if their costs are no more than £175 per week for one child or £300 per work for multiple children.

By Jess Sharp , Money team 

Money saving trends are constantly popping up on social media - but one in particular has been gaining huge amounts of attention.

Created accidentally by a comedian, loud budgeting is breaking down the taboo of speaking about money.

The idea is based on being firmer/more vocal about your financial boundaries in social situations and setting out what you are happy to spend your money on, instead of "Keeping up with the Joneses". 

On TikTok alone, videos published under the hashtag #loudbudgeting have garnered more than 30 million views - and that figure is continuing to climb. 

We spoke to Lukas Battle - the 26-year-old who unintentionally created the trend as part of a comedy sketch. 

Based in New York, he came up with the term in a skit about the "quiet luxury" hype, which had spread online in 2023 inspired by shows like Succession. 

The term was used for humble bragging about your wealth with expensive items that were subtle in their design - for example, Gwyneth Paltrow's  £3,900 moss green wool coat from The Row, which she wore during her ski resort trial...

"I was never a big fan of the quiet luxury trend, so I just kind of switched the words and wrote 'loud budgeting is in'. I'm tired of spending money and I don't want to pretend to be rich," Lukas said. 

"That's how it started and then the TikTok comments were just obsessed with that original idea." 

This was the first time he mentioned it...

Lukas explained that it wasn't about "being poor" but about not being afraid of sharing your financial limits and "what's profitable for you personally". 

"It's not 'skip a coffee a day and you'll become a millionaire'."

While talking money has been seen as rude or taboo, he said it's something his generation is more comfortable doing. 

"I've seen more debate around the topic and I think people are really intrigued and attracted by the idea," he said. 

"It's just focusing your spending and time on things you enjoy and cutting out the things you might feel pressured to spend your money on."  

He has incorporated loud budgeting into his own life, telling his friends "it's free to go outside" and opting for cheaper dinner alternatives.

"Having the terminology and knowing it's a trend helps people understand it and there's no awkward conversation around it," he said. 

The trend has been a big hit with so-called American "finfluencers", or "financial influencers", but people in the UK have started practising it as well. 

Mia Westrap has taken up loud budgeting by embarking on a no-buy year and sharing her finances with her 11.3k TikTok followers. 

Earning roughly £2,100 a month, she spends around £1,200 on essentials, like rent, petrol and car insurance, but limits what else she can purchase. 

Clothes, fizzy drinks, beauty treatments, makeup, dinners out and train tickets are just some things on her "red list". 

The 26-year-old PHD student first came across the idea back in 2017, but decided to take up the challenge this year after realising she was living "pay check to pay check". 

She said her "biggest fear" in the beginning was that her friends wouldn't understand what she was doing, but she found loud budgeting helped. 

"I'm still trying my best to just go along with what everyone wants to do but I just won't spend money while we do it and my friends don't mind that, we don't make a big deal out of it," she said. 

So far, she has been able to save £1,700, and she said talking openly about her money has been "really helpful". 

"There's no way I could have got this far if I wasn't baring my soul to the internet about the money I have spent. It has been a really motivating factor."

Financial expert John Webb said loud budgeting has the ability to help many "feel empowered" and create a "more realistic" relationship with money.

"This is helping to normalise having open and honest conversations about finances," the consumer affair manager at Experien said. 

"It can also reduce the anxiety some might have by keeping their financial worries to themselves." 

However, he warned it's important to be cautious and to take the reality of life into consideration. 

"It could cause troubles within friendship groups if they're not on the same page as you or have different financial goals," he said.

"This challenge isn't meant to stop you from having fun, but it is designed to help people become more conscious and intentional when it comes to money, and reduce the stigma around talking about it." 

Rightmove's keyword tool shows Victorian-era houses are the most commonly searched period properties, with people drawn to their ornate designs and features.

Georgian and Edwardian-style are second and third respectively, followed by Tudor properties. Regency ranked in fifth place.

Rightmove property expert Tim Bannister said: "Home hunters continue to be captivated by the character and charm of properties that we see in period dramas.

"Victorian homes remain particularly popular, characterised by their historic charm, solid construction, and spacious interiors. You'll often find Victorian houses in some of the most desirable locations which include convenient access to schools and transport links."

Throughout the week Money blog readers have shared their thoughts on the stories we've been covering, with the most correspondence coming in on...

• A hotly contested debate on the best brand of tea
• Downsizing homes
• The cost of Michelin-starred food

Job interview mistakes

On Wednesday we reported on a new £12m ad from PG Tips in response to it falling behind rivals such as Twinings, Yorkshire Tea and Tetley....

We had lots of comments like this...

How on earth was the PG Tips advert so expensive? I prefer Tetley tea, PG Tips is never strong enough flavour for me. Shellyleppard

The reason for the sales drop with PG Tips could be because they increased the price and reduced the quantity of bags from 240 to 180 - it's obvious. Royston

And then this question which we've tried to answer below...

Why have PG Tips changed from Pyramid shape tea bags, to a square? Sam

Last year PG Tips said it was changing to a square bag that left more room for leaves to infuse, as the bags wouldn't fold over themselves.

We reported on data showing how downsizing could save you money for retirement - more than £400,000, in some regions, by swapping four beds for two.

Some of our readers shared their experiences...

We are downsizing and moving South so it's costing us £100k extra for a smaller place, all money from retirement fund. AlanNorth

Interesting read about downsizing for retirement. We recently did this to have the means to retire early at 52. However, we bought a house in the south of France for the price of a flat in our town in West Sussex. Now living the dream! OliSarah

How much should we pay for food?

Executive chef at London's two-Michelin-starred Ikoyi, Jeremy Chan, raised eyebrows when he suggested to the Money blog that Britons don't pay enough for restaurant food.

Ikoyi, the 35th best restaurant in the world, charges £320 for its tasting menu. 

"I don't think people pay enough money for food, I think we charge too little, [but] we want to always be accessible to as many people as possible, we're always trying our best to do that," he said, in a piece about his restaurant's tie up with Uber Eats... 

We had this in... 

Are they serious? That is two weeks' worth of food shopping for me, if the rich can afford this "tasting menu" then they need to be taxed even more by the government, it's just crazy! Steve T

If the rate of pay is proportionate to the vastly overpriced costs of the double Michelin star menu, I would gladly peel quail eggs for four-hour stints over continuing to be abused as a UK supply teacher. AndrewWard

Does this two-star Michelin star chef live in the real world? Who gives a toss if he stands and peels his quails eggs for four hours, and he can get the best turbot from the fishmonger fresh on a daily basis? It doesn't justify the outrageous price he is charging for his tasting menu. Topaztraveller

Chefs do make me laugh, a steak is just a steak, they don't make the meat! They just cook it like the rest of us, but we eat out because we can't be bothered cooking! StevieGrah

Finally, many of you reacted to this feature on common mistakes in job interviews...

Those 10 biggest mistakes people make in interviews is the dumbest thing I've ever read. They expect all that and they'll be offering a £25k a year job. Why wouldn't I want to know about benefits and basic sick pay? And also a limp handshake? How's that relevant to how you work? Jre90

Others brought their own tips...

Whenever I go for an interview I stick to three points: 1. Be yourself 2. Own the interview 3. Wear the clothes that match the job you are applying Kevin James Blakey

Two big economic moments dominated the news agenda in Money this week - interest rates and GDP.

As expected, the Bank of England held the base rate at 5.25% on Wednesday - but a shift in language was instructive about what may happen next.

Bank governor Andrew Bailey opened the door to a summer cut to 5%, telling reporters that an easing of rates at the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting on 20 June was neither ruled out nor a fait accompli.

More surprisingly, he suggested that rate cuts, when they start, could go deeper "than currently priced into market rates".

He refused to be drawn on what that path might look like - but markets had thought rates could bottom out at 4.5% or 4.75% this year, and potentially 3.5% or 4% next.

"To make sure that inflation stays around the 2% target - that inflation will neither be too high nor too low - it's likely that we will need to cut Bank rate over the coming quarters and make monetary policy somewhat less restrictive over the forecast period," Mr Bailey said.

You can read economics editor Ed Conway's analysis of the Bank's decision here ...

On Friday we discovered the UK is no longer in recession.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.6% between January and March, the Office for National Statistics said.

This followed two consecutive quarters of the economy shrinking.

The data was more positive than anticipated.

"Britain is not just out of recession," wrote Conway. "It is out of recession with a bang."

The UK has seen its fastest growth since the tailend of the pandemic - and Conway picked out three other reasons for optimism.

1/ An economic growth rate of 0.6% is near enough to what economists used to call "trend growth". It's the kind of number that signifies the economy growing at more or less "normal" rates.

2/ 0.6% means the UK is, alongside Canada, the fastest-growing economy in the G7 (we've yet to hear from Japan, but economists expect its economy to contract in the first quarter).

3/ Third, it's not just gross domestic product that's up. So too is gross domestic product per head - the number you get when you divide our national income by every person in the country. After seven years without any growth, GDP per head rose by 0.4% in the first quarter.

GDP per head is a more accurate yardstick for the "feelgood factor", said Conway - perhaps meaning people will finally start to feel better off.

For more on where Friday's figures leaves us, listen to an Ian King Business Podcast special...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money .

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

If you've missed any of the features we've been running in Money this year, or want to check back on something you've previously seen in the blog, this archive of our most popular articles may help...

Loaves of bread have been recalled from shelves in Japan after they were found to contain the remains of a rat.

Production of the bread in Tokyo has been halted after parts of a "small animal" were found by at least two people.

Pasco Shikishima Corp, which produces the bread, said 104,000 packages have been recalled as it apologised and promised compensation.

A company representative told Sky News's US partner network, NBC News, that a "small black rat" was found in the bread. No customers were reported to have fallen ill as a result of ingesting the contaminated bread.

"We deeply apologise for the serious inconvenience and trouble this has caused to our customers, suppliers, and other concerned parties," the spokesman said.

Pasco added in a separate statement that "we will do our utmost to strengthen our quality controls so that this will never happen again. We ask for your understanding and your co-operation."

Japanese media reports said at least two people who bought the bread in the Gunma prefecture, north-west of Tokyo, complained to the company about finding a rodent in the bread.

Record levels of shoplifting appear to be declining as fewer shopkeepers reported thefts last year, new figures show. 

A survey by the Office for National Statistics shows 26% of retailers experienced customer theft in 2023, down from a record high of 28% in 2022.

This comes despite a number of reports suggesting shoplifting is becoming more frequent. 

A  separate ONS finding , which used police crime data, showed reports of shoplifting were at their highest level in 20 years in 2023, with law enforcements logging 430,000 instances of the crime.

Let's get you up to speed on the biggest business news of the past 24 hours. 

A privately owned used-car platform is circling Cazoo Group, its stricken US-listed rival, which is on the brink of administration.

Sky News has learnt that Motors.co.uk is a leading contender to acquire Cazoo's marketplace operation, which would include its brand and intellectual property assets.

The process to auction the used-car platform's constituent parts comes after it spent tens of millions of pounds on sponsorship deals in football, snooker and darts in a rapid attempt to gain market share.

The owner of British Airways has reported a sharp rise in profits amid soaring demand for trips and a fall in the cost of fuel.

International Airlines Group said its operating profit for the first three months of the year was €68m (£58.5m) - above expectations and up from €9m (£7.7m) during the same period in 2023.

The company, which also owns Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling, said earnings had soared thanks to strong demand, particularly over the Easter holidays.

The prospect of a strike across Tata Steel's UK operations has gained further traction after a key union secured support for industrial action.

Community, which has more than 3,000 members, said 85% voted in favour of fighting the India-owned company's plans for up to 2,800 job losses, the majority of them at the country's biggest steelworks in Port Talbot, South Wales.

Tata confirmed last month it was to press ahead with the closure of the blast furnaces at the plant, replacing them with electric arc furnaces to reduce emissions and costs.

In doing so, the company rejected an alternative plan put forward by the Community, GMB and Unite unions that, they said, would raise productivity and protect jobs across the supply chain.

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Percent Change in the Last 24 Hours

• EUR/USD -0.05205%
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