UK tourists predominantly travel to Spain, with over 13 million visits between January and August 2025, specifically favoring the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza) and the Canary Islands. Other top, consistent destinations for sunshine and culture include France, Portugal, Greece, and the USA.
Orlando tops the tourist-to-resident ratio at 36 tourists per resident. Macau experiences the highest tourist density, with over 547,000 visitors per km². Shanghai is the most visited city, attracting nearly 397 million tourists annually.
Of the countries polled, Sweden is the non-Anglosphere country seen as friendliest to Britain, with 80% of the public seeing the UK and Sweden as having a positive relationship.
The UK achieves the highest attractiveness ratings in Kenya and the Ukraine (both 88 per cent) and lowest in Japan (55 per cent). However, percentage figures mask cultural differences across countries in the way people answer questions in a survey.
21 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting London 🇬🇧
Where are people leaving the UK going?
The ONS reports that 517,000 people emigrated from the UK in 2024, including around 77,000 British nationals. Current trends show: Europe remains dominant – Spain, Ireland, France, and Germany continue to top the list. More non-EU moves – Canada, Australia, the USA, and UAE are steadily gaining.
Still, the biggest of all is Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California, which counts more 'tourist trap' mentions (1,049) than any other attraction in the world. Situated on the northern waterfront of San Francisco, the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood is home to souvenir shops, restaurants and attractions.
Bali faces significant challenges from overtourism. The island's infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the influx of tourists, leading to resource shortages and ecological damage. Efforts to promote sustainable tourism are underway.
Over half of Britons (54%) are concerned about overtourism, though 29% say they're not very concerned. Top worries include rising local living costs (59%), pollution and waste (59%), and overcrowded tourist spots (58%), with women consistently more concerned than men.
Private island holidays in the Maldives are a coveted luxury for many, and A-listers from all over the world flock to this archipelago. Everyone from the Beckhams to Kate Winslet holidays in this desirable destination, which has more than its fair share of exclusive properties to delight.
Overall picture: Volume of overnight trips showed a minor decline year-on-year, while volume of tourism day visits was up. Total domestic tourism spend increased for both overnights and day visits.
Honey/hun. Another word that tends to get shortened slightly in common usage – this happens often with terms of affection. Honey is a word that's typically used between couples, but rarely by strangers.
The "Big Three" of Europe generally refers to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK), especially in foreign policy and security, forming the informal "E3" for major diplomatic initiatives like Iran nuclear talks. Within the EU, the trio often includes France, Germany, and Italy due to their combined economic power and founding roles, though the UK was part of the grouping before Brexit, while France, Germany, Italy, and the UK are collectively called the "Big Four".
But do people seeking asylum get this free housing forever? No. When someone gets refugee status, they can no longer stay in asylum accommodation. They can choose where to live, but they have to pay for their rent or ask for government help – like any UK citizen.
Germany has the most immigrants in absolute numbers within the EU, with over 16.9 million foreign-born residents, followed by France, Spain, and Italy, but Liechtenstein has the highest proportion, with 70% of its small population being immigrants. Germany leads in total foreign-born individuals, while countries like Luxembourg and Malta have the highest percentages relative to their resident population, making them key immigrant destinations by share.Â
For instance, some prefer the UK to other European countries due to greater economic growth (thus making them economic migrants), and the relative ease of finding illegal undocumented work, the latter being due to the application of habeas corpus preventing the checking of migrants' identification in some situations.
Southeast Asians are the friendliest, and this ranking is a testament to their exceptional hospitality and welcoming nature, with countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam showcasing their cultural warmth and openness to visitors and outsiders alike.
Kiribati, a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, is one of the least visited countries in the world. With its remote location, the country often sees fewer than 6,000 international visitors annually.
A new WorldAtlas ranking puts Canada at number 1 on the list of the top 20 most loved countries on the planet, ahead of every U.S. and European destination.
