Last year, if it felt like everyone you knew was jet setting off to Euro summers, Thai wellness breaks, and Aspen ski trips, you definitely weren’t imagining it; there are numbers that agree. Indians spent $35 billion on international travel in 2024, putting the country among the world’s top 10 outbound tourism spenders, according to the latest UN Tourism report published in May 2025. That’s a steady increment from the $34.2 billion spent in 2023, and a sizeable jump from the pre-COVID tally of $22.9 billion.
Meanwhile, China sits in a league of its own, with travellers shelling out $250.6 billion on overseas travel—not just more than any other country, but also more than Australia, Canada, Russia, Italy and India combined. The US followed China with $177.8 billion, while Germany at $120.3 billion, the UK at $119.2 billion, and France at $60 billion, notably completed a strong showing for European travellers in the top 5 for outbound tourism.
Australia, Canada and Russia spending $45.6 billion, $43.6 billion and $38.8 billion respectively, landed in the middle of the pack. Italy came in ninth at $35.7 billion—just a sliver ahead of India, whose $35 billion spend officially cements its arrival in the global big leagues. Here are the 10 countries that spent the most on travel abroad in 2024.
- China – $250.6 billion
- USA – $177.8 billion
- Germany – $120.3 billion
- UK – $119.2 billion
- France – $60.0 billion
- Australia – $45.6 billion
- Canada – $43.6 billion
- Russian Federation – $38.8 billion
- Italy – $35.7 billion
- India – $35 billion
