Which Countries See the Greatest Tourist Inflows Per Capita?

Among all countries worldwide, it has been fascinating to observe the leaders in tourist arrivals per capita. As of September 2021, Andorra took the top spot with the highest number of tourists per person annually. This small European country, situated between France and Spain, is renowned for its ski resorts and scenic landscapes, resulting in a significant influx of visitors when one considers its population size.

The Rules and Context

To provide a balanced comparison, we will avoid evaluating the 330 territories and independent geographic entities loosely considered countries. Instead, we focus on the 195 official countries recognized by the United Nations, including all 193 members and two observer states. We will also analyze data from pre-COVID times, specifically the year 2019, to avoid skewed statistics due to the global pandemic. Our goal is to identify the countries where tourism is most prolific, particularly those with the highest per capita tourist arrivals.

The Winning Countries

Vatican City, with an estimated 6,883,000 tourists in 2019 and an average population of only 817 during that year, is the clear leader. This tiny nation, smaller than Minnesota's Mall of America, boasts major attractions like the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. The incredible statistic is that Vatican City welcomed about 8,425 tourists per capita annually.

Other nations featuring highly in this ranking include:

Andorra: 68.4 tourists per capita San Marino: 56.8 tourists per capita St. Kitts and Nevis: 20.5 tourists per capita Bahamas: 18.8 tourists per capita Croatia: 14.3 tourists per capita Antigua and Barbuda: 10.7 tourists per capita Monaco: 9.7 tourists per capita Iceland: 7.3 tourists per capita St. Lucia: 6.8 tourists per capita Malta: 6.7 tourists per capita

Interestingly, every single one of these countries is either an island nation (excluding Croatia) or a European microstate. However, it's Andorra that stands out, especially since Vatican City is not considered part of the ranking.

The Lowest Numbers

On the other hand, several nations saw a minimal number of tourists in 2019. These countries include:

Somalia: 11,102 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist Afghanistan: 1,641 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist Central African Republic: 1,573 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist Chad: 1,507 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist Equatorial Guinea: 1,403 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist South Sudan: 1,021 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist Bangladesh: 526 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist Burkina Faso: 300 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist Democratic Republic of the Congo: 295 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist Niger: 262 inhabitants per 1 annual tourist

It's worth noting that Bangladesh and Equatorial Guinea are the only two relatively safe countries in this list that do not rank among the 30 most dangerous. However, both face challenges such as a lack of infrastructure, hostile neighbors, bad reputations, and a population that doesn't fully understand the tourism industry.

International Tourist Revenue and Popularity

In terms of international tourist revenue, the United States, despite not having the highest per capita tourist inflows, leads with a staggering $58 billion annually. This is equivalent to approximately $8,142.83 per resident. By comparison, international tourists visiting Andorra spend around €23,429.27 per Andorran resident annually. France, a popular destination, spends only around €837.59 annually per citizen.

Conclusion

These statistics highlight the fascinating dichotomy between countries with large tourist inflows relative to their population and those with minimal tourist numbers. The data provides a compelling insight into how certain nations manage to attract large numbers of visitors while others face significant challenges in boosting tourism. It underscores the importance of infrastructure, safety, and marketing in driving tourism.