You already know the difference between inbound and outbound tourism. But before we go any further, it's worth asking a more basic question: what exactly is international tourism in the first place? The answer might seem obvious it's travel between countries, right? Well, yes but the official definition is more precise than that and in your exam, precision matters.
International tourism is defined by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) as tourism that involves crossing an international border. It includes both people travelling into a country (inbound) and people travelling out of a country (outbound). Together, these two flows make up what we call international tourism.
Key Definitions:
The UNWTO is the United Nations agency responsible for tourism statistics worldwide. Their definitions are used by almost every country to measure tourism in a consistent way. This means that when you compare tourism figures between France, Japan and Brazil, they are all using the same rulebook. Without agreed definitions, the data would be meaningless.
Not everyone who crosses a border is counted as a tourist. The UNWTO has clear rules about who qualifies and who doesn't. Getting this right is essential for your exam.
To be counted as an international tourist, a person must:
Notice the pattern: the key exclusions are people who are working in the destination country, people who are migrating permanently and people travelling for official government or military purposes. These groups cross borders but are not counted in tourism statistics.
A student studying abroad for six months IS counted as an international tourist. But someone who moves abroad permanently is NOT. The cut-off is 12 months. If you stay longer than a year, you are no longer a visitor you are a resident of that country for statistical purposes.
International tourists travel for many different reasons. The UNWTO groups these into official categories, which are used in surveys and statistics around the world. Understanding these categories helps you explain why people travel internationally which is a common exam question.
This is the largest category. It includes beach holidays, city breaks, sightseeing, cultural trips, adventure tourism and visiting friends and relatives (VFR). Most international tourist arrivals fall into this group.
This covers attending conferences, trade fairs, meetings and incentive travel (rewards trips given by employers). Business tourists often spend more per day than leisure tourists because companies pay their bills.
This catch-all category includes health tourism (travelling for medical treatment), educational tourism (study trips or language courses), religious tourism (pilgrimages) and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) when not classified under leisure.
According to UNWTO data from 2019 (the last full pre-pandemic year), approximately 55% of international tourist arrivals were for leisure, recreation and holidays. Around 13% were for business and professional purposes. The remaining 32% covered visiting friends and relatives, health, religion and other purposes. This shows that while leisure dominates, business and other forms of international tourism are still hugely significant.
It's easy to confuse these two. The single most important difference is the crossing of an international border. Everything else the length of stay, the purpose, the type of accommodation can be the same. It's the border that changes everything.
A resident of a country travelling within that same country. No border is crossed. Example: A Londoner taking a weekend break in Edinburgh. This is domestic tourism entirely within the UK.
A person travelling across an international border. Example: That same Londoner flying to Amsterdam for a weekend. Now they have crossed a border this is international tourism (outbound from the UK, inbound to the Netherlands).
France is the perfect case study for understanding international tourism because it has been the world's most visited country for decades. In 2019, France received approximately 90 million international tourist arrivals more than any other country on Earth.
France sits at the heart of Western Europe. It borders eight countries and has excellent rail, road and air connections. The Channel Tunnel links it directly to the UK. Millions of tourists simply pass through France on their way elsewhere and many stop to visit.
France has 52 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Paris alone draws tens of millions of visitors annually to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral. French cuisine, wine and fashion are world-famous draws.
France offers everything from Alpine skiing in the French Alps to beach holidays on the Côte d'Azur, wine tourism in Bordeaux and theme park visits to Disneyland Paris the most visited theme park in Europe.
The top source markets for inbound tourism to France are Germany, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and the USA. This shows that most of France's international visitors come from nearby European countries a pattern typical of short-haul international tourism.
International tourism contributes around 8% of France's GDP. It supports approximately 2 million jobs directly and many more indirectly. In Paris, tourist spending in shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions is a critical part of the city's economy. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a dramatic drop in 2020–2021, showing just how dependent some economies are on international tourist flows.
International tourism is one of the world's largest industries. Understanding its scale helps you appreciate why governments, businesses and organisations invest so heavily in it.
1. 🇫🇷 France 90 million arrivals | 2. 🇸🇵 Spain 84 million | 3. 🇺🇸 USA 79 million | 4. 🇨🇳 China 66 million | 5. 🇮🇹 Italy 64 million. These five countries alone accounted for nearly 30% of all international tourist arrivals in the world.
Spain is the second most visited country in the world and a brilliant example of how a country can build its entire economy around international tourism. The Spanish tourism industry is known as one of the most developed and successful in the world.
In 2019, Spain welcomed 84 million international tourists, generating over €92 billion in revenue. Tourism accounts for approximately 12–14% of Spain's GDP one of the highest proportions of any major economy. The Canary Islands, Balearic Islands (including Majorca and Ibiza), Costa del Sol and Barcelona are the key destinations.
The majority of Spain's international tourists come from the UK, Germany and France all relatively close European neighbours. The combination of guaranteed sunshine, low-cost airline routes, affordable accommodation and well-developed resort infrastructure makes Spain the go-to destination for millions of British and German holidaymakers every year.
Spain invested heavily in tourism infrastructure from the 1960s onwards. It developed purpose-built coastal resorts, expanded airports and trained a large hospitality workforce. Today, it benefits from brand recognition when people think of a European sun holiday, Spain is often the first country that comes to mind. This is the result of decades of consistent marketing and product development.
International tourism doesn't just happen by itself. A whole range of factors need to be in place before people can travel across borders in large numbers. These factors can be grouped into enabling factors things that make international travel possible and easier.
Just as some factors encourage international tourism, others hold it back. These are called barriers and understanding them is just as important as understanding the enabling factors.
International travel costs more than domestic travel. Flight costs, foreign currency, visas and higher accommodation prices can put international tourism out of reach for lower-income households. A global recession reduces international tourist numbers significantly.
Visa requirements, border controls and political tensions between countries can restrict tourist flows. After Brexit, UK citizens lost the right to free movement in the EU, adding friction to European travel. War and political instability (e.g. in parts of the Middle East) deter tourists entirely.
Disease outbreaks (COVID-19 being the most dramatic example), natural disasters and terrorism all reduce international tourist flows. The UNWTO reported a 74% drop in international arrivals in 2020 due to the pandemic the single biggest collapse in tourism history.
Every major country has a National Tourism Organisation (NTO) a government-backed body whose job is to promote the country as a destination for international tourists. These organisations are crucial to international tourism because they market destinations to the world.
VisitBritain is the UK's NTO, funded by the UK government through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Its mission is to grow the value of inbound tourism to Britain. In 2019, the UK received 40.9 million international visits, generating £28.4 billion in spending. VisitBritain targets key markets including the USA, Germany, France, Australia and increasingly China and the Gulf states. It uses digital marketing, social media campaigns and partnerships with airlines and travel companies to attract international visitors.
International tourism is not just about holidays it has enormous economic, cultural and social significance. Here's a clear summary of why it matters:
International tourism brings foreign currency into destination countries. This improves the balance of payments, funds government services and creates jobs in hospitality, transport, retail and attractions. For some small island nations (e.g. the Maldives, Barbados), international tourism is the primary source of national income.
International tourism promotes cross-cultural understanding. When people visit other countries, they experience different languages, foods, traditions and ways of life. This can reduce prejudice and build international goodwill. UNESCO argues that tourism, when managed well, helps preserve cultural heritage by giving it economic value.
International tourism puts pressure on natural environments. Long-haul flights produce significant carbon emissions. Over-tourism in fragile destinations (e.g. the Galápagos Islands, Venice) can damage ecosystems and heritage sites. Sustainable international tourism tries to balance visitor numbers with environmental protection.
International tourism = travel that crosses at least one international border + at least one overnight stay + no more than 12 months + not for paid employment in the destination. Remember: it includes BOTH inbound tourism (visitors arriving) and outbound tourism (residents departing). The UNWTO is the global authority that sets and monitors these definitions.
Access the full course and all the resources like custom timetables and progress tracking.
Join Today