This list of the most touristy countries in the world reflects the most accurate tourists vs locals ratio. It is based on the Some Nomad Stories “TP score”, which calculates the number of yearly international TOURIST ARRIVALS, divided by the country’s POPULATION. The numbers were taken from the last pre-pandemic year, which is 2019.
The TP score is correlated to the country’s contribution of tourism to GDP. Tourism is the primary industry for most of the countries on this list. The analysis is done only on the sovereign states. That’s why there are no countries like Porto Rico (US territory), or Aruba (Duch territory) on this list. The borderless micro-states like Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican are not included in this calculation, since they are mainly popular destinations for brief half-day visits.
20. Bahrain
- TP score: 2.23
- Tourism/GDP: 13.4%
- Attractions: modern urban architecture, beaches, sand dunes
- Activities: exploring Arabic culture, the dune tours
19. New Zeland
- TP score: 2.26
- Tourism/GDP: 18.3%
- Attractions: unique landscapes, mountains, beaches
- Activities: hiking, surfing, nightlife
18. Portugal
- TP score: 2.41
- Tourism/GDP: 19.8%
- Attractions: historic towns, beaches, village tourism
- Activities: sightseeing, museums, hiking, surfing, nightlife
17. Cyprus
- TP score: 2.65
- Tourism/GDP: 22.7%
- Attractions: beaches, historic buildings, and ruins
- Activities: snorkeling, hiking, beach party, nightlife
16. Greece
- TP score: 3.00
- Tourism/GDP: 21.2%
- Attractions: ancient ruins, historic towns, beaches
- Activities: walking tours, museums, island hopping, nightlife
15. Grenada*
- TP score: 3.06
- Tourism/GDP: 55.8%
- Attractions: beaches, rich marine life, tropical rainforest
- Activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, hiking
14. Maldives
- TP score: 3.15
- Tourism/GDP: 66.1%
- Attractions: beaches, rich marine life
- Activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, island hopping, and various beach resort activities
13. Singapore
- TP score: 3.35
- Tourism/GDP: 10.0%
- Attractions: modern urban architecture, beaches
- Activities: exploring urban life, museums, nightlife, island hopping
12. Austria
- TP score: 3.54
- Tourism/GDP: 15.5%
- Attractions: mountains, alpine meadows, historic towns
- Activities: hiking, skiing, walking tours, museums
11. Seychelles
- TP score: 3.91
- Tourism/GDP: 65.8%
- Attractions: beaches, rich marine life, and magnificent tropical rainforest
- Activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, island hopping, hiking
10. Barbados*
- TP score: 3.92
- Tourism/GDP: 36.2%
- Attractions: beaches, rich marine life, shipwrecks
- Activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, and various beach resort activities
9. Monte Negro
- TP score: 4.18
- Tourism/GDP: 21.7%
- Attractions: beaches, historic towns, monasteries, mountains
- Activities: island hopping, walking tours, museums, nightlife
8. Belise
- TP score: 4.21
- Tourism/GDP: 44.7%
- Attractions: beaches, rich marine life, the Maya ruins
- Activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, island hopping, hiking the tropical rainforest
7. Malta
- TP score: 4.56
- Tourism/GDP: 11.6%
- Attractions: beaches, historic buildings, and ruins
- Activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, beach party, nightlife
6. St Lucia*
- TP score: 4.69
- Tourism/GDP: 43%
- Attractions: beaches, rich marine life, tropical mountains
- Activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, tax-free shopping
5. Palau
- TP score: 4.70
- Tourism/GDP: 36.3%
- Attractions: beaches, rich marine life, tropical rainforest
- Activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, hiking, island hopping, experiencing Polynesian culture
4. Croatia
- TP score: 4.78
- Tourism/GDP: 25.1%
- Attractions: beaches, waterfalls, historic towns, caves
- Activities: sightseeing, museums, island hopping, nightlife
3. Iceland
- TP score: 5.86
- Tourism/GDP: 33.8%
- Attractions: volcanos, exotic meadows, glaciers, waterfalls, the northern lights
- Activities: Road trips, hiking
2. Bahamas*
- TP score: 11.95
- Tourism/GDP: 40.3%
- Attractions: beaches, rich marine life
- Activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, island hopping, and various beach resort activities
1. Andorra
- TP score: 39.41
- Tourism/GDP: 68.8%
- Attractions: Pirinei mountains
- Activities: skiing, hiking, shopping
*The Caribbean countries: Bahamas, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Barbados, are getting a significant number of cruise visitors, which do not stay overnight. For the calculation of the yearly number of tourist visits, the cruise visits count as 1/2 of the value.
After exploring these tourist hot spots, it’s time to switch gears and check out the 10 Best Underrated countries to visit.