International tourism, expenditures (current US$)



Countries By International tourism, expenditures (current US$)



Key points



Official Definition of International tourism, expenditures (current US$)

International tourism expenditures are expenditures of international outbound visitors in other countries, including payments to foreign carriers for international transport. These expenditures may include those by residents traveling abroad as same-day visitors, except in cases where these are important enough to justify separate classification. For some countries they do not include expenditures for passenger transport items. Data are in current U.S. dollars.



Importance

International tourism expenditures are a crucial macroeconomic statistic for a country as they reflect the amount of money spent by international visitors within the country. A high value of international tourism expenditures signifies a strong tourism sector, which can bring various benefits to the country:

Conversely, a low value of international tourism expenditures may indicate challenges or missed opportunities for the country:



Top 10 Countries by International tourism, expenditures (current US$)

Bottom 10 Countries by International tourism, expenditures (current US$)



Regions

Europe

International tourism expenditures for the listed countries vary greatly, with France leading at $31.19 billion and Montenegro at the lowest with $38 million. The high expenditures of countries like France, Belgium, and Italy indicate strong tourism industries and economic attractiveness. These nations benefit from a robust tourism sector, creating jobs and foreign exchange earnings. However, overreliance on tourism can be a downside, as seen in Montenegro's limited earnings. For countries like Belarus or Moldova, low expenditures suggest untapped tourism potential or other economic challenges. Overall, this statistic underscores the importance of tourism for economic growth and diversification in these countries.

Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia

International tourism expenditures vary among the selected countries, with Korea, Republic of (South) leading with $16,705,000,000 and Cambodia having the lowest at $213,000,000. Japan follows closely behind South Korea at $6,741,000,000. South Korea's significant expenditure reflects a robust outbound tourism sector but also a reliance on foreign travel services. Japan benefits from a well-developed tourism infrastructure but may face challenges of cost competitiveness. Countries like Cambodia and Laos, with lower expenditures, may have untapped tourism potential but need to invest in infrastructure and promotion. Overall, high tourism expenditures indicate a strong outbound travel market and potential economic benefits for these countries, but also highlight the importance of managing dependencies on foreign services and ensuring sustainable growth.

ASEAN

Cambodia's international tourism expenditures stand at $213,000,000, indicating a modest level of outbound tourist spending. Indonesia leads the group with $1,980,000,000 in expenditures, showcasing a strong tourism sector. Laos follows with $260,000,000, while Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam have notable figures of $5,206,000,000, $4,872,000,000, $3,681,000,000, and $4,360,000,000, respectively. Malaysia stands out with the highest expenditure, reflecting a well-developed tourism industry. However, heavy reliance on tourism revenues poses a risk during global downturns. For Cambodia and Laos, there is room for growth but also vulnerability to economic shocks. Overall, international tourism expenditures indicate the countries' attractiveness to foreign visitors and impact their economic development through revenue generation and job creation in the tourism sector.

Latin America

The data on International tourism expenditures reveals significant disparities among the listed countries. Brazil stands out with the highest expenditure of $6.49 billion, followed by Mexico at $4.29 billion, and Argentina at $2.75 billion. These countries have the advantage of attracting a large number of international visitors, contributing positively to their economies. However, smaller nations like Nicaragua and Paraguay have much lower expenditures, indicating less developed tourism industries. This statistic implies potential for economic growth through tourism for countries like Chile and Costa Rica, while highlighting the need for development in nations with lower expenditures like Honduras and El Salvador.

Middle East

The data on international tourism expenditures reveals significant disparities among the listed countries, with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar standing out for their exceptionally high expenditures compared to the others. The advantage for these countries lies in the boost to their economies from substantial tourism revenue, leading to increased job opportunities and infrastructure development. However, heavy reliance on tourism can be a disadvantage in times of global economic downturns or geopolitical unrest, as seen with Egypt and Tunisia post-Arab Spring. Nonetheless, for countries like Cyprus and Jordan, tourism serves as a crucial pillar of economic stability, fostering cultural exchange and global connections.



Rivals

Anglosphere v BRICS

International tourism expenditures for the selected countries show significant variations. The United States leads the group with expenditures of $48.83 billion, followed by India at $15.78 billion, the Russian Federation at $10.80 billion, Australia at $7.65 billion, Brazil at $6.49 billion, and South Africa at $1.59 billion. The high expenditures of the United States reflect its strong tourism industry and economic power, while India's growing expenditures indicate an expanding tourism sector. Russia's expenditures show its attractiveness as a tourism destination. Australia benefits from its diverse attractions, while Brazil's lower expenditures may suggest untapped potential. South Africa's comparatively lower spending could highlight areas for tourism development. The implications of these expenditures are vital for economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange in each country.

Russia v Ukraine

In terms of international tourism expenditures, the Russian Federation leads with $10.8 billion, while Ukraine has $4.82 billion. The Russian Federation's higher spending reflects its larger economy and greater international tourist appeal. This indicates Russia's potential in the global tourism market but also suggests a higher outflow of capital for leisure purposes. On the other hand, Ukraine's relatively lower expenditure may signify a developing tourism sector with room for growth. While higher expenditures can boost a country's economy through increased revenue and job creation, excessive outflows may strain the balance of payments. Both countries need to strategically manage their tourism sectors to maximize economic benefits and minimize potential pitfalls.

India v Pakistan

India's international tourism expenditures amount to $15.77 billion, reflecting a strong outbound tourism sector indicative of a growing middle class with disposable income for travel. In contrast, Pakistan's expenditures are notably lower at $1.25 billion, signaling potential untapped opportunities in tourism development. India enjoys the advantage of a diverse tourism offering, including historical sites and cultural attractions, while Pakistan may benefit from marketing its natural beauty and historical landmarks. The impact of these expenditures on both countries lies in economic stimulus through job creation, infrastructure development, and foreign exchange earnings, reinforcing the importance of tourism in their respective economic development strategies.

Turkey v Greece

International tourism expenditures for Greece and Turkey stand at $1.5 billion and $1.639 billion respectively, reflecting the financial impact of outbound tourism activities. Greece benefits from its historical and cultural attractions, drawing in tourists for heritage tourism, but faces challenges in seasonality and infrastructure development. Turkey, with its diverse offerings ranging from beaches to historical sites, attracts a larger spending from international tourists. This statistic highlights the importance of tourism for economic growth and job creation for both countries, signaling the need for sustainable tourism practices and infrastructure investments to further boost their economies.



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