On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. As a result, travel bans have decimated the tourism industry, and international air travel initially declined by as much as 98% .
10 Tourist Destinations for Post-Pandemic Life
Nearly two years later, travel is finally back on the table, although there are many limitations to consider. Nevertheless, a September 2021 survey shows that as things return to normal, 82% of Americans look forward to international travel more than anything else.
To inspire you for your next vacation (whatever it may be), this infographic lists the 10 most visited countries in 2019, along with their top three attractions according to Google Maps.
Have a safe trip
Here are the 10 most popular tourist destinations in 2019 in terms of international arrivals.
France has been the most popular tourist destination by a considerable margin, and it’s easy to see why. The country is home to many of the world’s most famous landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre .
The Arc de Triomphe was built in the early 1800s to honor those who died during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. In 1944, Allied soldiers marched through the monument after the liberation of Paris from the Nazis.
On the other hand, the Louvre is often recognized by its giant glass pyramid . The museum houses more than 480,000 works of art, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
Art is not the only thing France has to offer. The country is famous for its culinary prowess, with 632 Michelin-starred restaurants, more than any other country. Japan is in second place with 413.
While you’re there…
After sightseeing in Paris, you might consider a trip to Spain. The country is the southern neighbor of France and is known for its beautiful villages and beaches.
One of its most impressive sights is the Sagrada Familia , a massive 440,000 square foot church whose construction began in 1882 and is still ongoing (139 years in the making). The video below shows the striking evolution of the structure.
The Sagrada Familia is 172 meters tall and has about 52 stories.
Another popular spot is Ibiza, an island off the coast of Spain that is famous for its wild nightlife. The island is often mentioned in pop culture: Netflix released an adventure/romance film called “Ibiza” in 2018, and a remix of Mike Posner’s song “I took a pill in Ibiza” garnered more than 1.4 billion views on YouTube.
Beaches in Abundance.
If you’re looking for something outside of Europe, consider Mexico or Thailand, which rank 7th and 8th among the most popular tourist destinations. Both offer hot weather and an abundance of white sand beaches.
If you need even more convincing, check out these links:
13 Best Beaches in Mexico
Mexico’s best resorts: readers’ picks for 2021
Best night markets in Bangkok, Thailand
Best rooftop bars in Bangkok
Expect turbulence
Under normal circumstances, international travelers spend hundreds of billions of dollars annually . According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTCC), this spending accounted for an impressive 10.4 percent of global GDP in 2019.
Travel restrictions imposed in 2020 have dealt the industry a serious blow, reducing its share of global GDP to 5.5 percent and destroying an estimated 62 million jobs. While the WTCC believes those jobs could return by 2022, the new Omicron option has already prompted many countries to tighten restrictions again.
To avoid future headaches, make sure you fully understand the rules and restrictions of where you’re going.
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