Most visited, biggest and best: world's top travel facts that might surprise you

Inside information

The travel and tourism industry is one of the most competitive in the world. In 2023, its direct contribution to global GDP reached approximately £8.1 trillion ($9.9tn), accounting for a significant 9.1% of the world's economy. With an enormous 1.3 billion international tourist arrivals taking place last year, 2024 is set to break even more records.

Read on for some surprising stats and facts about the modern travel industry, from the world's largest hotel to the most powerful passport...

The most-visited country

The most visited country in the world in 2023 was France, with roughly 100 million international tourist arrivals. The country also topped the list in 2022, while Spain claimed top spot during a pandemic-hit 2021. This year Spain finished second with 85.2 million arrivals, while the United States rounded out the podium with 66.5 million. Italy, Turkey, Mexico and the United Kingdom followed, in that order.

Top museums

Around 8.9 million people – a staggering figure roughly equal to the population of Switzerland – visited the Louvre in Paris in 2023, making it the most visited museum in the world by some margin. That number is still not as high as it was before the pandemic in 2019, when 9.6 million people passed through its doors. Other big hitters include the Vatican Museums in Rome and London's British Museum.

Commercial flight passenger numbers

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), around 4.5 billion people flew on commercial flights in 2019, reaching an all-time high. The Asia-Pacific region was the busiest, carrying 34.7% of global passengers, with Europe and North America following on 26.8% and 22.2% respectively. After plummeting during the pandemic, 2023 saw total passenger numbers top 4.3 billion, almost within touching distance of pre-pandemic levels.

Busy skies

FlightRadar24 data shows that the peak number of planes ever recorded to fly in a single day was on Thursday 25 July 2019, when 230,000 aircraft took to the skies. The figure represents almost every trackable aircraft in the world, but excludes sensitive air traffic like military flights, meaning that the actual number could be much higher.

Popular planes

Boeing and Airbus have long fought to produce the world's most popular plane. For a long time the title was held by Boeing's 737 jetliner, but its direct competitor, the Airbus A320, overtook it in scheduled flights in late 2019. That same year saw the A320 family also overtake the 737 for total orders, and the 737 has trailed its rival on both metrics ever since.

Seriously long-haul flights

Currently, the world's longest scheduled non-stop commercial flight is the Singapore Airlines route between Singapore and JFK in New York City (flights SQ23 and SQ24). The flight takes nearly 19 hours to complete and covers 9,537 miles (15,347km). This might not be the longest flight for much longer, though, as Qantas has spent years preparing to launch direct non-stop flights from Sydney to London and New York. Codenamed Project Sunrise, the flights are expected to surpass the 19-hour mark, and are set to debut sometime in late 2025.

The largest airline

Which airline is largest depends on how you define 'largest'.  As of October 2024, American Airlines continues to have the largest fleet size globally, with 952 aircraft and more on order.​ In terms of revenue, however, Delta Air Lines leads the pack. Delta posted a record revenue of approximately £43.5 billion ($54.7bn) in 2023, outperforming American Airlines, which reported £42.3 billion ($53.4bn)​. Qantas and other US airlines continue to expand rapidly, but these metrics make American Airlines the largest by fleet and workforce, while Delta dominates in revenue.

Busy airports

For more than 20 years, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) claimed the top spot as the world's busiest airport. But when global passenger numbers dropped by 64.6% due to the pandemic in 2020, the title went briefly to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China, which serviced more than 43 million passengers that year. Atlanta regained its crown in 2021 and has retained it ever since, serving 104.7 million passengers in 2023.

Super short-haul flights

The shortest scheduled airline flight is from the Scottish island of Westray to its neighbouring island, Papa Westray. The flight, operated by Loganair, takes an average of one-and-a-half minutes from take-off to landing and covers 1.7 miles (2.7km) – almost the same length as the runway at Edinburgh Airport.

Nifty savings

A popular story often shared among budding entrepreneurs is that by removing one olive from each salad in first class nearly 30 years ago, American Airlines saved an astonishing £32,000 ($40,000) a year. It has also been rumoured that Northwest Airlines (before it merged with Delta), saved half a million dollars by cutting limes into 16 slices rather than 10.

The biggest passenger plane

The largest passenger plane in the world is the Airbus A380. It’s a double-decker, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner that provides seating for more than 500 people in a typical three-class configuration (economy, business and first class) or up to 853 seats in an all-economy setting. The aircraft is no longer produced by Airbus and the final A380 delivery took place in December 2021, when the last of these giant planes was delivered to Emirates.

The world's widest wingspan

An innovative plane with a wingspan of 385 feet (117m), the Stratolaunch Roc is wider than an American football field. The double-fuselage plane is designed to carry and launch hypersonic vehicles and rockets mid-air. In October 2022, the Stratolaunch successfully carried its first hypersonic vehicle passenger to an altitude of 23,000 feet (7,010m) above California's Mojave Desert. Many more tests have followed, and in June 2024 the plane reached a new-record operational altitude of 35,000 feet (10,700m).

The largest cruise ship

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas became the largest cruise ship on the ocean when it set off on its maiden voyage in January 2024. It's a whopping 1,198 feet (365m) in length, with 20 decks and a 2,350-strong crew. Some 7,600 passengers can be accommodated onboard, and they can enjoy seven swimming pools and more than 40 restaurants. It took the crown from sister ship Wonder of the Seas, which has a length of 1,187 feet (362m), 18 decks and a crew of 2,300.

The longest cruise

For avid cruising enthusiasts, Royal Caribbean International offers the Ultimate World Cruise: a record-breaking 274-night journey aboard Serenade of the Seas. This voyage, which departed from Miami in December 2023, visits all seven continents, over 150 destinations and 65 countries. Originally set to sail through the Red Sea, the route was altered due to geopolitical tensions, with passengers voting to explore Africa’s southern and western coasts instead. The cruise is now en route to destinations like Madagascar, Namibia and South Africa. Prices for this epic adventure started around £45,400 ($61,000)​.

The longest train journey

The Trans-Siberian route from Moscow to Vladivostok in Russia is the longest direct train journey in the world. The journey covers 5,752 miles (9,259km), crosses eight time zones and takes 166 hours to complete – almost an entire week. The train has 142 stops and passes through 87 cities and towns.

World's longest passenger train

On 30 October 2022, Switzerland set a new world record by completing a journey with the world's longest train. The gargantuan vehicle, which measures 1.2 miles (1.9km) in length and consists of 100 coaches, made a one-off 15.5-mile (25km) passage along a UNESCO-recognised stretch of track between Preda and Bergun. It's not an easy journey, with 48 bridges, 22 tunnels and numerous winding curves. The journey marked the 175th anniversary of the first Swiss railway, and celebrated the country's history of engineering.

Record-breaking tunnels

The Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland is not only the longest but also the deepest railway tunnel in the world, stretching 35.5 miles (57.1km) with a maximum depth of 8,040 feet (2,450m) – eight times the height of The Shard in London. It serves as a crucial high-speed link under the Swiss Alps, connecting central and southern Europe. Following a freight train derailment in August 2023, the tunnel was temporarily closed for extensive repairs. After more than a year of work, it fully reopened to rail traffic on 2 September 2024.

Busy buses

Greyhound buses in North America cover 48 US states, three Canadian provinces and large parts of Mexico, carrying around 16 million passengers a year who travel a combined five billion miles (8bn/km) annually. The 1,700-vehicle fleet offers more than 245,000 city pair combinations across their network, making it the biggest intercity bus company in the world.

The longest road

The Pan-American Highway, stretching across the American continents, is the world's longest motorable road. The highway links the north of Alaska with the glacial tip of Argentina via the American West, Central America and the west coast of South America, with a short gap around the Panamanian-Colombian border. It totals around 19,000 miles (30,000km) and would take three months to drive with an average eight hours of driving per day. Travellers usually take anywhere between six and 18 months to complete it, making regular detours and stop-offs.

The world's largest hotels

The largest hotel in the world is the First World Hotel in Genting in Malaysia, with a total of 7,351 rooms. The 3-star hotel has two towers of 24 and 28 floors, and is situated at the heart of Resorts World Genting. The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas isn't far behind, with 7,117 rooms and suites.

Sky-high rooms

Opened in June 2021, J Hotel is the world's highest hotel. Located in the top 26 floors of the Shanghai Tower, the hotel offers stunning panoramas across the city, including over the Yangtze River and the financial district. The tower itself is 2,073 feet (632m) tall and boasts an impressive 128 floors – a height only beaten by Dubai's Burj Khalifa. The luxury hotel offers an around-the-clock butler service to all guests and there are seven restaurants and bars (including one on the 120th floor), plus a spa and swimming pool.

Lucrative attractions

Approximately €1.5 million (£1.3m/$1.6m) worth of coins are tossed into the Trevi Fountain in Rome every year. The money is collected and donated to the Rome division of the Catholic charity Caritas, and now makes up 15% of the charity's annual budget. Tradition holds that tourists should stand with their backs to the fountain and throw a coin into its water with their right hand over their left shoulder. The ritual supposedly guarantees the visitor's safe return to Rome.

Sky-high cities

According to skyscrapercenter.com, Hong Kong has the most skyscrapers in the world, with 558 buildings taller than 492 feet (150m). Chinese city Shenzhen’s skyline is dominated by 411 high-rises while New York City takes third place with 316. Dubai is fourth with 263 and Shanghai rounds out the top five with 192.

Uninterrupted views

Currently, the highest observation deck in the world is located in Shanghai – 1,841 feet (561m) above ground in the Shanghai Tower. The express lift to the Top of Shanghai Observatory takes only 55 seconds even though it ascends to the 118th floor. If the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is ever finished, it'll take the crown and will also become the world's tallest building.

Giant attractions

Opened in Dubai in 2021, Ain Dubai is the world's largest observation wheel. Located on the Bluewaters Island development, the wheel is 820 feet (250m) high – 269 feet (82m) taller than the previous record-holder, the High Roller in Las Vegas. A full rotation in one of its 48 passenger cabins takes around 38 minutes, and 1,750 people can ride it at any given time. In March 2022 the structure closed without warning and it's been under renovation ever since.

The world's tallest outdoor lift

Located in China's Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which inspired the otherworldly landscapes of Pandora in Avatar, this remarkable lift celebrated its 20th birthday in 2022. Touted as the world's tallest outdoor lift, the Bailong Elevator is built into a side of a cliff and whisks visitors up over 1,000 feet (326m) to marvel at the unique karst formations. It consists of three double-decker lifts and each trip takes around two minutes.

The largest ski area in the world

Since 1973, it has been possible to ski the interlinked valleys of Les Trois Vallees in the French Alps using just one ski pass, making it the largest ski area in the world with 370 miles (600km) of slopes. As implied by the name, it originally consisted of three valleys – Saint-Bon, Allues and Belleville – but now encompasses a fourth one, Maurienne, as well. The area includes famous ski resorts like Courchevel and Val Thorens.

Busiest US national park

According to the US National Park Service, the most visited national park in the country is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which drew in more than 13 million visitors in 2023 – nearly three times the number of the second most popular park. Some people see the park from its scenic highway, while others take to its 800-plus miles (1,300km) of hiking trails. Grand Canyon National Park came in second place with 4.7 million visitors while Zion National Park in Utah scored third with 4.6 million.

Best amusement park

Voted the best amusement park in the world in Amusement Today's 2024 Golden Ticket Awards, Europa-Park in Germany continues to enthral visitors with its vast collection of rides, immersive environments and world-class entertainment. This marks the ninth time Europa-Park has claimed the top spot, beating out strong contenders like Dollywood in Tennessee and Tokyo DisneySea. Jointly run by the Mack family, the park's 2024 season introduced major upgrades, including a new roller coaster, Voltron Nevera, which was also voted the best new roller coaster worldwide​.

Never-ending fun

If you're seeking a quiet family break, you definitely won’t find it at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort, Florida. The park, which attracted over 17.7 million visitors in 2023, remains the world’s most visited amusement park. The park continues to draw massive crowds with its iconic attractions, events and experiences, reaffirming its status as a top global destination.

The world’s largest airport terminal

Beijing Daxing International Airport holds the title for the largest single-building airport terminal in the world. Spanning an impressive 7.5 million square feet (700,000sqm), it was designed by architect Zaha Hadid and opened in 2019. Dubbed 'The Starfish' due to its shape, the terminal can handle over 100 million passengers annually when operating at full capacity.

The most-visited city in the world

As of 2024, the most visited city in the world is Istanbul, Türkiye, attracting approximately 20.2 million international visitors. Istanbul's popularity is driven by its rich history, stunning architecture and unique position as a cultural hub that straddles both Europe and Asia. Following Istanbul, London ranks second with 18.8 million visitors, and Dubai is in third place, welcoming 16.8 million visitors.

Powerful passports

Japan topped the list of the world's strongest passports for five years on the trot, but it was knocked off top spot in 2023 by Singapore, which has retained the title in 2024. According to global passport ranking the Henley Passport Index, Singapore's citizens can visit an impressive 195 destinations across the globe without a visa. Japan is now in second place with 194, alongside Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

Read on for the world's tallest record-breaking attractions