Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) 2020
Tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP shows the economic importance of tourism in a country. Higher values indicate greater reliance.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
- #1
Guyana
- #2
China, Macao SAR
- #3
Guam
- #4
Palau
- #5
Antigua and Barbuda
- #6
Equatorial Guinea
- #7
Mexico
- #8
Namibia
- #9
Sierra Leone
- #10
New Zealand
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #87
Mongolia
- #86
Fiji
- #85
Republic of Moldova
- #84
China, Hong Kong SAR
- #83
Kuwait
- #82
Paraguay
- #81
Kazakhstan
- #80
Algeria
- #79
State of Palestine
- #78
Israel
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2020, Guyana led the world in Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) at 43.5%, while the global range spanned from 0.04% to 43.50%. The global average for this metric was 3.23%, providing a benchmark for understanding the economic role of tourism across different nations.
Economic Drivers of High Tourism Revenue (% of GDP)
The significant reliance on tourism revenue by countries like Guyana and China, Macao SAR highlights the economic importance of this sector. Guyana's exceptional figure of 43.5% can be attributed to its rich natural resources and burgeoning ecotourism industry, which has gained international attention. Similarly, China, Macao SAR with 21.49786% reflects its status as a major global gaming and entertainment hub, drawing millions of tourists annually.
In contrast, nations like Guam and Palau, with 10.7% and 9.75938% respectively, rely heavily on tourism due to their geographic positioning and limited industrial diversification. These countries capitalize on their natural beauty and cultural heritage to attract visitors, which in turn supports a significant portion of their economic activities.
Low Tourism Revenue (% of GDP): Economic Independence or Missed Opportunities?
Countries such as Mongolia and Fiji showed minimal tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP, at 0.0424% and 0.1% respectively. For Mongolia, the low figure can be attributed to its vast landlocked geography and economic reliance on mining and agriculture rather than tourism. On the other hand, Fiji's figure represents a sharp decline, influenced by global travel restrictions during the pandemic.
Other countries like Kuwait and Paraguay, with 0.52313% and 0.56% respectively, indicate a diversified economy where tourism plays a smaller role. These nations often focus on oil and gas or agriculture, which provide more stable economic contributions compared to the fluctuating tourism sector.
Year-Over-Year Trends: Winners and Losers in 2020
The year 2020 saw drastic shifts in tourism revenue across the globe, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guyana experienced the highest increase with a remarkable 38.10% rise, equating to a 705.6% growth, possibly driven by a strategic focus on ecotourism and mining sector developments that attracted international business travel.
Conversely, China, Macao SAR experienced a dramatic decrease of -31.09% or -59.1%, as travel restrictions severely impacted its tourism and gaming industries. Similarly, Fiji and Guam faced significant declines of -11.70% and -11.30%, respectively, as these island economies rely heavily on international tourists, who were largely absent in 2020.
Policy Implications and Future Outlook
The disparities in Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) underscore the need for strategic economic planning. Countries heavily reliant on tourism, like Guam and Palau, may need to diversify their economic activities to mitigate risks associated with global travel disruptions. For nations with minimal tourism revenue, such as Kuwait and Paraguay, there lies an opportunity to develop this sector further, potentially enhancing GDP contributions.
As the world recovers from pandemic-induced setbacks, countries will likely reassess their tourism strategies. Enhancing infrastructure, promoting sustainable tourism, and ensuring resilience against future global disruptions will be crucial for maintaining or increasing tourism's contribution to GDP. The 2020 data serves as a catalyst for both introspection and innovation in the global tourism sector.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) in 2020
Which country had the highest tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020?
Guyana had the highest tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020, with 43.5%.
Which country had the lowest tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020?
Mongolia had the lowest tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020, with 0.04%.
What was the average tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP for the countries in the dataset in 2020?
The average tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP for the countries in the dataset in 2020 was 3.23%.
What was the median tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020?
The median tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020 was 2%.
Which countries were in the top 3 for tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020?
The top 3 countries for tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020 were Guyana (43.5%), China, Macao SAR (21.5%), and Guam (10.7%).
How many countries are included in the dataset for tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020?
There are 87 countries included in the dataset for tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2020.
Insights by country
Egypt
In 2020, Egypt ranked #43 globally with a Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) of 2.04%. This figure is significantly lower than the pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on global travel. Egypt's tourism sector, heavily reliant on historical sites like the Pyramids of Giza and the Red Sea resorts, faced severe disruptions due to travel restrictions and health concerns.
Paraguay
In 2020, Paraguay ranked #82 globally with a Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) of 0.56 %. This figure is notably lower than many neighboring countries, reflecting a broader regional trend where tourism plays a limited role in economic output compared to more tourism-dependent nations. Factors contributing to this low percentage include Paraguay's landlocked geography, which limits access to international tourist flows, and a focus on agriculture and manufacturing over tourism development.
Montserrat
In 2020, Montserrat ranked #73 globally with a Tourism Revenue of 0.87 % of its GDP. This figure is notably lower than many Caribbean neighbors, reflecting the island's limited capacity for mass tourism compared to larger destinations. The volcanic activity that has affected large portions of the island has also hindered tourism development, impacting visitor numbers and infrastructure investments.
Philippines
In 2020, the Philippines ranked #11 globally with a Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) of 5.10928 %. This figure is notable as it reflects the country's heavy reliance on tourism compared to the global average, particularly during a year impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors such as the Philippines' rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and favorable climate attract millions of tourists annually, driving this significant contribution to the economy.
Vietnam
In 2020, Vietnam ranked #19 globally with a Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) of 3.58 %. This figure is notable as it reflects the country's resilience in the tourism sector, especially when compared to the severe downturn experienced worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The key drivers behind this statistic include Vietnam's rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and strategic efforts to promote tourism, which have attracted international visitors despite global travel restrictions. Additionally, the government's initiatives to enhance infrastructure and services have positioned Vietnam as a competitive destination in Southeast Asia.
Portugal
In 2020, Portugal ranked #15 globally with a Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) of 4.4 %. This figure is notably lower than the pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the significant impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector, which is a vital part of the country's economy. Portugal's rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and favorable climate attract millions of tourists each year, but travel restrictions severely affected visitor numbers in 2020.
Mauritius
Mauritius ranked #30 globally with a Tourism Revenue of 2.7 % of GDP in 2020. This figure is notably lower than the global average for tourism-dependent economies, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel and tourism worldwide. The island nation's reliance on tourism, coupled with its geographic isolation in the Indian Ocean, makes it vulnerable to global travel restrictions and economic downturns.
Rwanda
In 2020, Rwanda ranked #71 globally with a Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) of 0.9 %. This figure is notably lower than many of its East African neighbors, highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel and tourism. The country's focus on conservation and eco-tourism, particularly its mountain gorillas, has drawn visitors, but overall tourism revenue remains limited by infrastructure challenges and the global travel restrictions during the pandemic.
United States
The United States ranked #41 globally in 2020 for Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) at 2.1474 %. This figure is below the global average, reflecting the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel and tourism. Factors such as widespread lockdowns, travel restrictions, and a shift in consumer behavior heavily influenced this decline, as the U.S. tourism sector is a vital part of its economy, contributing to job creation and regional development.
Mozambique
Mozambique ranked #34 globally with a Tourism Revenue (% of GDP) of 2.43 % in 2020. This figure is notably lower than the global average for tourism-dependent economies, reflecting the challenges faced by the sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key drivers of Mozambique's tourism revenue include its rich biodiversity, stunning coastal landscapes, and cultural heritage, which attract visitors despite the impact of travel restrictions.
Data Source
Tourism contribution to GDP | Our World in Data
Our World in Data is an online publication that presents research and data on global development issues. The dataset on tourism contribution to GDP offers country-level statistics on the proportion of total GDP attributed to tourism, facilitating comparisons and analysis of economic impacts across nations.
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