Well, "Not Surprized," you might have gotten your data from the web site of a US tourism organization, but their original source, which you yourself credited, is indeed the World Tourism Organization, which has its main offices in Spain and has over 100 member nations. Here's the web source for the data (again):<BR><BR>http://www.world-tourism.org/market_...pdatedengl.pdf

France does not have an overwhelming victory in getting tourist dollars--the U.S. does. <BR><BR>In raw numbers, the U.S. gets almost three times as much revenue as France does--$85.2 billion for the U.S., $29.9 billion for France.<BR><BR>Furthermore, the 50.9 million arrivals in the U.S. spend about $85.2 billion--or about $1,674 per arrival.<BR><BR>The 75.5 million arrivals in France spend about $29.9 billion--or about $396 per arrival.<BR><BR>So the U.S. appears to be more of a tourism destination, while France appears to be more of a stop along the way or a country that attracts more day-trippers than the U.S. does.<BR><BR>I like 'em both, so they'll each get some of my tourism dollars.

I was aware of the 4 first tourist destinations (France, US, Spain and Italy) but what surprises me a lot is to find China at the 5th place, with so much visitors. It's not like China had many rich neighbors, or was convenient to travel to from rich countries (where people can afford to travel). Also, China doesn't seem to spend millions in advertizing for tourism (compare it to, for instance Ireland. I don't know if it's the same in the US, but here, they advertize for tourism everywhere). I don't think China is reputated for its hotels, beaches, puclic transportation, etc...<BR><BR>So, indeed, I'm amazed they get so much visitors. I'm wondering where these people come from. I suppose there must be Japanese tourists, but apart from that?<BR><BR>Mind you, I don't underestimate the value of a trip to China. I would really like to go there. I'm only surprised that so much people actually travel to this country.

Ellen--I did not credit anything--I simply cut and paste. As I explained, the info, apparentrly created by the WTO, was on the web site of a trade asociation. I did not indicate that the trade assoc. compiled the data--but that they posted it on their site.

Bobby--money is not the point of this study--it is number of people who visit. In that category, France won by a landslide. You can attempt to diminish that victory by focusing on dollar amounts and guessing that it may be explained by quick stop overs to France, but the facts remain clear. <BR>

Derick,<BR><BR>Here's an excerpt from Anyone Surprized's initial post:<BR><BR>"...how do you France bashers explain France's overwhelming victory in getting tourist dollars...?"<BR><BR>So I was refuting that statement. That's why I focused on tourist dollars--not the arrivals. Besides, the dollar amounts were mentioned in that same report that documented the number of arrivals.<BR><BR>It's not my fault if the original poster asked a question about tourist dollars and then proceeded to post a listing of numbers of tourists arriving.

France is the best and Americans know it!!! Americans want everyone to fall all over their feet. If they dont get showered in attention they think that they are being snubbed.

Yes, I had the info. about the number of trips and I mistakenly concluded it translated to more money. I believe it was Ellen who corrected me. I wont make excuses for making that assumption or the typo (ok it was well after midnight when I did it--look for yourselves). But I did find on that WTO (which I did not use last night) that France,Italy and Spain garnered about $90 billion, thereby surpassing the US at about 80 something billion. And they are much smaller countries. <BR>Europe as a whole had about 230 billion to the US's 123 billion. <BR><BR>Again, do not try to take away from France's victory on the subject of most tourists.

Estimation for 2001 are giving France still #1 with 76, Spain comes #2 with 49, US #3 with 44 (sept 11 is the main cause for the US loss of near 7 milions tourist entries compared to the year before)

Firstly, I want to point out to <BR>one of the many intelligent people in this forum that the USA is not a continent, although they may wish to believe it to be. Secondly, there are great aspects of both the US and France. France has been rated number one in healthcare in the world, has a vast and elaborate culture, and a generally good standard of living for everyone. The US has great economic strength, a vast country with many things to see and do, and it has some of the top educational institutions in the world. Lets stop the whining.

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