These countries are the favorite vacation destinations of Americans

The United States is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, and most Americans vacation within our borders. But millions of people travel the world and millions more dream of doing so one day. What countries do Americans visit most often? To find out, we gathered data from the International Trade Administration’s 2023 International Air Traveler Survey and travel industry reports.

24/7 Wall St. Perspectives

• The Caribbean and Europe are two of the most popular vacation destinations for Americans.
• Several Asian countries also attract millions of visitors from the US.
• Also: Discover the “Next NVIDIA

Here are the most popular overseas destinations for Americans, ranked by the number of tourists who visited in 2023.

11. South Korea (1.1 million)

K-pop and K-drama have captured the hearts of millions of American teenagers and made South Korea an increasingly hot tourist destination. It is clean, safe and friendly with modern cities, interesting cultural and historical sites, high speed trains and amazing food.

10. India (1.4 million)

Considering that the United States has citizens from all over the world, one of the reasons why India is a popular tourist destination is that many Indian Americans go there to visit family. But beyond this steady source of long-term tourism, India has long fascinated Americans and Europeans with its ancient culture and unique spiritual traditions.

9. Greece (1.4 million)

From the first grades of school, Americans learn about ancient Greece as the cradle of Western civilization. Greek mythology holds a fascination for many people from books and movies. Christians also have an affinity for Greece because the Bible describes the apostle Paul’s missionary journeys there. But most of all, today’s tourists love the Mediterranean climate, the beautiful island landscapes and the hospitable people of Greece.

8. Bahamas (3 million)

Located just off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas is an affordable destination for middle-class Americans, not just the jet set. Tourism took a hit last year when the US State Department issued a travel advisory due to rising crime. But with that tropical climate, crystal clear water and accommodations for every budget, Americans can never stay away from this paradise for long.

7. France (3.7 million)

With the Summer Olympics held in Paris this year, France is likely to rise to the top of the list of most popular holiday destinations when all the dates for 2024 are available. France is synonymous with love, fashion, fine dining, wines and museums. It’s understandably on many people’s travel bucket list.

6. Spain (3.8 million)

Spain is attractive to Americans for its mild climate, beaches, history, accessibility, and friendly, informal culture. Spanish is the most widely spoken second language in the United States and the most popular language studied in high school. Some of the tourists who are increasing the American numbers there are educational trips for high school or college language classes. And a growing number of Americans love Spain so much that they are choosing to retire there.

5. Italy (4.36 million)

Like Greece, Italy holds a fascination for Americans for its history, especially the era of the Roman Empire. Millions of Americans have Italian family roots and even extended relatives there, so visiting feels like going home. Italian food is very popular in the United States. And with the Roman Catholic Church being the largest Christian denomination in the US, thousands of Catholics are eager to make a pilgrimage to the Vatican in the heart of Roeme in hopes of ousting the Pope.

4. United Kingdom (5.1 million)

The United Kingdom is particularly appealing to Americans as a mother country with a history closely intertwined with our own. Speaking the same language and being closely allied with the United States, Britain feels like a safe and friendly place to visit. Many Americans are fascinated by the pageantry and drama of the British royal family, eager to see the country’s castles and other historic sites and connect with the hometowns and settings of famous authors. And in general, Americans are delighted with British accents, often finding them sophisticated and pleasing to the ear, even if sometimes difficult to understand.

3. Germany (5.4 million)

It is difficult for Americans to think of Germany without the specter of World War II. Some tourists go to visit sites and museums from that tragic era. However, modern Germany is synonymous with quality engineering, high technology, avant-garde arts and the best beer in the world. It is also a diverse country, receiving millions of immigrants from other parts of the world. New Germany is full of surprises that are best experienced by going there in person.

2. Canada 12.8 million

The United States and Canada have the unique distinction of maintaining the longest unguarded borders in the world. The two cultures are so superficially similar that if one were to wander across the border, one might realize one is in a different country. Americans and Canadians feel comfortable visiting each other regularly for work, shopping or tourism. Canada, however, has its own characteristics, such as the French culture of Quebec and the traditions of the First Nations people. The unspoiled wilderness is unmatched and attracts thousands of sportsmen and adventurers each year.

1. Mexico 36.7 million

Not surprisingly, Mexico is the number one tourist destination for Americans. Millions of Mexican Americans travel each year to visit family. The country’s beautiful resorts such as Cancún, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco attract everyone from college dropouts to retirees and millionaires to enjoy tropical beaches. The cost of living in Mexico is about half that of the United States, making it a popular destination not only to stretch tourist dollars, but also as a retirement destination and even a place to go for medical tourism.

Which of these countries is at the top of your bucket list?

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