world tourist arrivals 2019

International tourism, number of arrivals

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By Bastian Herre, Veronika Samborska and Max Roser

Tourism has massively increased in recent decades. Aviation has opened up travel from domestic to international. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of international visits had more than doubled since 2000.

Tourism can be important for both the travelers and the people in the countries they visit.

For visitors, traveling can increase their understanding of and appreciation for people in other countries and their cultures.

And in many countries, many people rely on tourism for their income. In some, it is one of the largest industries.

But tourism also has externalities: it contributes to global carbon emissions and can encroach on local environments and cultures.

On this page, you can find data and visualizations on the history and current state of tourism across the world.

Interactive Charts on Tourism

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International tourism, number of arrivals - Country Ranking

Definition: International inbound tourists (overnight visitors) are the number of tourists who travel to a country other than that in which they have their usual residence, but outside their usual environment, for a period not exceeding 12 months and whose main purpose in visiting is other than an activity remunerated from within the country visited. When data on number of tourists are not available, the number of visitors, which includes tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members, is shown instead. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries. The data on inbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival.

Source: World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.

See also: Thematic map , Time series comparison

More rankings: Africa | Asia | Central America & the Caribbean | Europe | Middle East | North America | Oceania | South America | World |

Development Relevance: Tourism is officially recognized as a directly measurable activity, enabling more accurate analysis and more effective policy. Whereas previously the sector relied mostly on approximations from related areas of measurement (e.g. Balance of Payments statistics), tourism today possesses a range of instruments to track its productive activities and the activities of the consumers that drive them: visitors (both tourists and excursionists). An increasing number of countries have opened up and invested in tourism development, making tourism a key driver of socio-economic progress through export revenues, the creation of jobs and enterprises, and infrastructure development. As an internationally traded service, inbound tourism has become one of the world's major trade categories. For many developing countries it is one of the main sources of foreign exchange income and a major component of exports, creating much needed employment and development opportunities.

Limitations and Exceptions: Tourism can be either domestic or international. The data refers to international tourism, where the traveler's country of residence differs from the visiting country. International tourism consists of inbound (arrival) and outbound (departures) tourism. The data are from the World Tourism Organization (WTO), a United Nations agency. The data on inbound and outbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals and departures, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival. The data on inbound tourism show the arrivals of nonresident tourists (overnight visitors) at national borders. When data on international tourists are unavailable or incomplete, the data show the arrivals of international visitors, which include tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Statistical information on tourism is based mainly on data on arrivals and overnight stays along with balance of payments information. These data do not completely capture the economic phenomenon of tourism or provide the information needed for effective public policies and efficient business operations. Data are needed on the scale and significance of tourism. Information on the role of tourism in national economies is particularly deficient. Although the World Tourism Organization reports progress in harmonizing definitions and measurement, differences in national practices still prevent full comparability. Arrivals data measure the flows of international visitors to the country of reference: each arrival corresponds to one in inbound tourism trip. If a person visits several countries during the course of a single trip, his/her arrival in each country is recorded separately. In an accounting period, arrivals are not necessarily equal to the number of persons travelling (when a person visits the same country several times a year, each trip by the same person is counted as a separate arrival). Arrivals data should correspond to inbound visitors by including both tourists and same-day non-resident visitors. All other types of travelers (such as border, seasonal and other short-term workers, long-term students and others) should be excluded as they do not qualify as visitors. Data are obtained from different sources: administrative records (immigration, traffic counts, and other possible types of controls), border surveys or a mix of them. If data are obtained from accommodation surveys, the number of guests is used as estimate of arrival figures; consequently, in this case, breakdowns by regions, main purpose of the trip, modes of transport used or forms of organization of the trip are based on complementary visitor surveys.

Aggregation method: Gap-filled total

Periodicity: Annual

Note: This page was last updated on December 28, 2019

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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

• Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region

The number of international tourist arrivals worldwide increased across all regions in 2023 compared to the previous year. That said, except from the Middle East, inbound arrivals remained below the figures reported in 2019, before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, Europe reported the highest volume of inbound travelers over the period considered, with around 700 million arrivals in 2023.

What are the most visited countries by inbound travelers?

With Europe being the most visited region by inbound travelers, it does not surprise that two European destinations top the ranking of  countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals worldwide. Both before and after the impact of the health crisis, France and Spain reported the most inbound tourist arrivals in the world, ahead of the United States. That said, the United States was the country with the highest international tourism receipt worldwide over the same period.

What is the global economic impact of travel and tourism?

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the total contribution of travel and tourism to the gross domestic product worldwide was expected to surpass nine trillion U.S. dollars in 2023, nearly caching up with pre-pandemic levels. This figure refers to the direct, indirect, and induced impact of the global travel and tourism sector. Meanwhile, the total number of travel and tourism jobs worldwide was estimated to exceed 300 million that year.

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 2005 to 2023, by region (in millions)

Additional Information

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2005 to 2023

Data prior to 2011 were previously published by the source.

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• European countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals 2019-2022

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Statistics on " Travel and tourism in Europe "

• International tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2022, by subregion
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Europe 2019-2022
• Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Europe 2019-2022, by type
• Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Europe 2019-2022, by tourist type
• Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Europe 2019-2022
• Leading European countries in the Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021
• International tourist arrivals in Europe 2006-2023
• International tourist arrivals in Europe 2010-2022, by region
• Monthly number of inbound tourist arrivals in Europe 2019-2023
• Monthly change in tourist arrivals in Europe 2020-2023, by region
• Inbound tourism visitor growth in Europe 2020-2025, by region
• International tourist arrival growth in European countries 2019-2023
• International tourism spending in Europe 2019-2022
• Number of domestic tourist trips in EU-27 countries and the UK 2018-2021
• Number of domestic arrivals in tourist accommodation in the EU 2011-2022
• Domestic tourism spending in Europe 2019-2022
• Domestic tourism spending in EU-27 countries and the UK 2019-2022
• Share of Europeans planning to take a domestic summer trip 2023, by country
• Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region
• Outbound visitor growth in Europe 2020-2025, by region
• Number of outbound trips from EU-27 countries and the UK 2018-2021
• European countries with the highest outbound tourism expenditure 2019-2022
• Travel intentions of Europeans in the next six months 2024, by destination
• Share of Europeans planning to travel domestically or in Europe 2023-2024
• Europeans planning domestic or European trips in the next six months 2024, by age
• Europeans planning leisure domestic or European trips 2024, by trip type
• European travelers' favorite destinations for their next European trip 2024
• Number of tourist accommodation establishments in the EU 2012-2022
• Number of overnight stays in tourist accommodation establishments in the EU 2011-2022
• Hotel market revenue in Europe 2017-2028
• Hotel market revenue in Europe 2017-2028, by region
• Share of hotel market sales in Europe 2017-2028, by channel
• Estimated EV/EBITDA ratio in the online travel market 2024, by segment
• Market capitalization of leading travel and leisure companies in Europe 2024
• Travel and tourism revenue in Europe 2018-2028, by segment
• Number of users of package holidays in Europe 2019-2028
• Number of users of hotels in Europe 2019-2028
• Number of users of vacation rentals in Europe 2019-2028
• Revenue of travel and tourism market in selected countries worldwide 2023

Other statistics that may interest you Travel and tourism in Europe

• Basic Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide 2005-2023, by region
• Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2022, by subregion
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Europe 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Europe 2019-2022, by type
• Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Europe 2019-2022, by tourist type
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism: share of GDP in the EU-27 and the UK 2019-2022, by country
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Europe 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Leading European countries in the Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021

Inbound tourism

• Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals in Europe 2006-2023
• Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals in Europe 2010-2022, by region
• Premium Statistic European countries with the highest number of inbound tourist arrivals 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Monthly number of inbound tourist arrivals in Europe 2019-2023
• Basic Statistic Monthly change in tourist arrivals in Europe 2020-2023, by region
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism visitor growth in Europe 2020-2025, by region
• Premium Statistic International tourist arrival growth in European countries 2019-2023
• Basic Statistic International tourism spending in Europe 2019-2022

Domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of domestic tourist trips in EU-27 countries and the UK 2018-2021
• Basic Statistic Number of domestic arrivals in tourist accommodation in the EU 2011-2022
• Basic Statistic Domestic tourism spending in Europe 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Domestic tourism spending in EU-27 countries and the UK 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Share of Europeans planning to take a domestic summer trip 2023, by country

Outbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism visitor growth worldwide 2020-2025, by region
• Premium Statistic Outbound visitor growth in Europe 2020-2025, by region
• Premium Statistic Number of outbound trips from EU-27 countries and the UK 2018-2021
• Premium Statistic European countries with the highest outbound tourism expenditure 2019-2022

European travelers

• Premium Statistic Travel intentions of Europeans in the next six months 2024, by destination
• Premium Statistic Share of Europeans planning to travel domestically or in Europe 2023-2024
• Premium Statistic Europeans planning domestic or European trips in the next six months 2024, by age
• Premium Statistic Europeans planning leisure domestic or European trips 2024, by trip type
• Premium Statistic European travelers' favorite destinations for their next European trip 2024

Accommodation

• Basic Statistic Number of tourist accommodation establishments in the EU 2012-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of overnight stays in tourist accommodation establishments in the EU 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Hotel market revenue in Europe 2017-2028
• Premium Statistic Hotel market revenue in Europe 2017-2028, by region
• Premium Statistic Share of hotel market sales in Europe 2017-2028, by channel

Travel companies

• Basic Statistic Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Estimated EV/EBITDA ratio in the online travel market 2024, by segment
• Premium Statistic Market capitalization of leading travel and leisure companies in Europe 2024
• Premium Statistic Leading airlines in Europe based on passenger numbers 2022
• Premium Statistic Travel and tourism revenue in Europe 2018-2028, by segment
• Premium Statistic Number of users of package holidays in Europe 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic Number of users of hotels in Europe 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic Number of users of vacation rentals in Europe 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic Revenue of travel and tourism market in selected countries worldwide 2023

Further related statistics

• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals by land Myanmar 2010-2019
• Premium Statistic Italy: number of inbound tourist arrivals in Apulia 2009-2015
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in Myanmar 2010-2019
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals by air Myanmar 2010-2019
• Basic Statistic Foreign tourist arrivals Thailand 2015-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals by sea Myanmar 2010-2019
• Premium Statistic Italy: number of tourist arrivals in hotels in Lecce by origin 2009-2015
• Premium Statistic Italy: number of international tourist arrivals 2015, by region
• Premium Statistic Italy: number of international tourist arrivals 2015, by country of origin
• Premium Statistic Italy: number of international tourist arrivals 2015, by continent of origin
• Premium Statistic Italy: tourist arrivals in Lecce 2009-2015
• Premium Statistic Italy: share of international tourist arrivals 2015, by continent of origin
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals from the Philippines to Indonesia 2014-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals from Australia to Indonesia 2014-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals from Singapore to Indonesia 2014-2023
• Basic Statistic Arrivals of non-Australian citizens from overseas destinations to Australia 2018-2021
• Basic Statistic TRAVELSAT satisfaction index concerning reception in regions in France 2015

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• Number of international tourist arrivals by land Myanmar 2010-2019
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• Number of international tourist arrivals by air Myanmar 2010-2019
• Foreign tourist arrivals Thailand 2015-2023
• Number of international tourist arrivals by sea Myanmar 2010-2019
• Italy: number of tourist arrivals in hotels in Lecce by origin 2009-2015
• Italy: number of international tourist arrivals 2015, by region
• Italy: number of international tourist arrivals 2015, by country of origin
• Italy: number of international tourist arrivals 2015, by continent of origin
• Italy: tourist arrivals in Lecce 2009-2015
• Italy: share of international tourist arrivals 2015, by continent of origin
• Number of international visitor arrivals from the Philippines to Indonesia 2014-2023
• Number of international visitor arrivals from Australia to Indonesia 2014-2023
• Number of international visitor arrivals from Singapore to Indonesia 2014-2023
• Arrivals of non-Australian citizens from overseas destinations to Australia 2018-2021
• TRAVELSAT satisfaction index concerning reception in regions in France 2015

Map Options

Most Visited Countries 2024

European countries, often rich in history, culture, beautiful beaches, and ocean views, attract the highest number of tourists.

France, leading in tourism for over 30 years, offers attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris, drawing 38 million tourists to Paris alone in 2019.

Global travel and tourism, an $8.9 trillion industry in 2019, suffered a loss of $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Global travel and tourism was an $8.9 trillion (US$) business in 2019 . Moreover, though the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced that number to roughly a quarter of its previous value, all signs point to tourism continuing to grow, expand, and evolve. Every country on Earth has something to offer international visitors, from the pyramids in Egypt to the rainforests of Brazil or the sidewalk cafes of Paris —but which countries attract the most visitors of all? Most of the countries with the highest tourism rates are located in Europe , whose rich history, architecture, and cultural influence make it an appealing destination for many travelers. Countries positioned on or near a body of water are also very popular, particularly those that offer a relaxed, low-key atmosphere mixed with beautiful beaches and ocean views.

Top 10 Countries Most Popular with Tourists (by number of 2019 visitor arrivals)

The most popular tourist destination in the world for more than 30 years, France offers a myriad of attractions: the Eiffel tower, countless world-class restaurants, the Musée du Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, and of course, Disneyland Paris. Moreover, the lushly beautiful countryside is full of storybook villages, mountains, vineyards, and the occasional castle. One can even view prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux. Paris, France's capital, is the most visited city in Europe, receiving 38 million tourists in 2019.

Spain is another tourist destination overflowing with interesting attractions. Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia cathedral and other works in Barcelona , the Guggenheim museum, the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Europe's largest aquarium (the lily-shaped L'Oceanogràfic), the beaches of Gran Canaria, and La Rambla in Barcelona. Spain is also home to El Teide, an ancient—but not entirely dormant—volcano, which visitors can hike around at the Parque Nacional del Teide on the Spanish island Tenerife.

England's capital city, London , attracts visitors with a wide range of sights including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum, which includes the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo . Beyond London, England offers the mysterious Stonehenge, the Beatles' birthplace in Liverpool , the quaint beauty of the Cotswolds, the sci-fi botanical gardens of the Eden Project, and more. Speaking of more, the UK also includes three additional subdivisions. First is Scotland, with the charming city of Edinburgh , moody Loch Ness and Inverness , the scenic highlands, and the historic St. Andrews golf course. Next comes charming Wales and its castles, scenery, and capital city of Cardiff . Finally, Northern Ireland boasts attractions including Belfast 's bubbling nightlife, the glens and coastline of Antrim, and one of Europe's most compelling natural wonders: the Giant's Causeway.

The Mediterranean nation Turkey balances captivating man-made attractions such as Hagia Sophia mosque and Topkapı Palace with archaeological wonders such as the Biblical city of Ephesus, the fairy city of Cappadocia, and the desolate fallen splendor of Mount Nemrut. It also has more than its share of natural wonders, including the famous beaches at Ölüdeniz and Patara, the mineral pools at Pamukkale, and the Mediterranean coastline itself.

The South Asian country of Thailand is also known as the "Land of Smiles", and offers both modern comforts and wild adventure. Thailand's capital, Bangkok , receives over 20 million visitors every year. Popular attractions include the Grand Palace in Bangkok; beaches including Railay, Long, and Monkey beach; the ancient city Ayutthaya and ornate Buddhist wat Coi Suthep, and national parks including Khao Yai (where wild elephants roam) and the otherworldly Khao Sok.

The impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21 had a devastating effect on the travel and tourism industry. According to a report released by the World Travel & Tourism Council , the pandemic cost the industry an estimated US$ 4.5 trillion in 2020, which resulted in the loss of 62 million tourism-dependent jobs. Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization backs this up. Consider the following table:

International tourist arrivals (in thousands of visitors):

Compared to 2019, tourism dropped by approximately 74% in 2020, with a total of a billion fewer travelers over the course of the year--making 2020 the worst year on record for tourism. The UNTWO's own estimates registered a loss of US$ 1.3 trillion in lost revenues and 100-120 million jobs either lost or at risk.

The impact has been particularly damaging in countries that rely heavily upon tourism as part of their GDP. Lost tourism in Macau , one of China 's special administrative regions, led to a 79.3% drop in year-on-year gambling revenues , which caused overall GDP for 2020 to fall 43.1% compared to the previous year.

While tourism has picked up slightly in 2021, they still fall far short of the pre-pandemic numbers. Late 2020 projections were hopeful that the industry would be back on track by late 2021, but the ongoing nature of the pandemic has thwarted that optimism. As of late 2021, most estimates do not expect the industry to rebound to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels until sometime in 2023 at the earliest.

• Visitor totals are displayed in 1000s. For example, South Africa 's displayed total of 3886.6 equals 3,886,600 visitors.

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• UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard - United Nations World Tourism Organization
• World Tourism Barometer - United Nations World Tourism Organization
• Trending in Travel - World Travel & Tourism Council
• Economic Impact Reports - World Travel & Tourism Council

• News Releases

Tourism is Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels, but Challenges Remain

World Economic Forum, [email protected]

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• High-income economies in Europe and Asia-Pacific continue to lead the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Index, with the United States, Spain and Japan topping the rankings again.
• Despite post-pandemic growth, the global tourism sector still faces complex challenges, with recovery varied by region; only marginal overall score improvements since the 2021 edition.
• Developing economies are making strides – who account for 52 out of 71 economies improving since 2019 – but significant investment is needed to bridge gaps and increase market share.
• Read the report here .

New York, USA, 21 May 2024 – International tourist arrivals and the travel and tourism sector’s contribution to global GDP are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, driven by the lifting of COVID-19-related travel restrictions and strong pent-up demand, as per the new World Economic Forum travel and tourism study, released today.

Topping the 2024 list of economies are the United States, Spain, Japan, France and Australia. The Middle East had the highest recovery rates in international tourist arrivals (20% above the 2019 level), while Europe, Africa and the Americas all showed a strong recovery of around 90% in 2023.

These are some of the top findings of the Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 (TTDI) , a biennial report published in collaboration with the University of Surrey, which analyses the travel and tourism sectors of 119 countries around a range of factors and policies.

“This year marks a turning point for the travel and tourism sector, which we know has the capacity to unlock growth and serve communities through economic and social transformation,” said Francisco Betti, Head of the Global Industries team at the World Economic Forum. “The TTDI offers a forward-looking window into the current and future state of travel and tourism for leaders to navigate the latest trends in this complex sector and sustainably unlock its potential for communities and countries across the world.”

Post-pandemic recovery

The global tourism industry is expected to recover from the lows of the COVID-19 pandemic and surpass the levels seen before the crisis. This is largely being driven by a significant increase in demand worldwide, which has coincided with more available flights, better international openness, and increased interest and investment in natural and cultural attractions.

However, the global recovery has been mixed. While 71 of the 119 ranked economies increased their scores since 2019, the average index score is just 0.7% above pre-pandemic levels.

Although the sector has moved past the shock of the global health crisis, it continues to deal with other external challenges, from growing macroeconomic, geopolitical and environmental risks, to increased scrutiny of its sustainability practices and the impact of new digital technologies, such as big data and artificial intelligence. In addition, labour shortages are ongoing, and air route capacity, capital investment, productivity and other sector supply factors have not kept up with the increase in demand. This imbalance, worsened by global inflation, has increased prices and service issues.

TTDI 2024 highlights Out of the top 30 index scorers in 2024, 26 are high-income economies, 19 are based in Europe, seven are in Asia-Pacific, three are in the Americas and one (the United Arab Emirates) is in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). The top 10 countries in the 2024 edition are the United States, Spain, Japan, France, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Italy and Switzerland.

The results highlight that high-income economies generally continue to have more favourable conditions for travel and tourism development. This is helped by conducive business environments, dynamic labour markets, open travel policies, strong transport and tourism infrastructure, and well-developed natural, cultural and non-leisure attractions.

Nevertheless, developing countries have seen some of the greatest improvements in recent years. Among the upper-middle-income economies, China has cemented its ranking in the top 10; major emerging travel and tourism destinations of Indonesia, Brazil and Türkiye have joined China in the top quartile of the rankings. More broadly, low- to upper-middle-income economies account for over 70% of countries that have improved their scores since 2019, while MENA and sub-Saharan Africa are among the most improved regions. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the only high-income economies to rank among the top 10 most improved economies between 2019 and 2024.

Despite these strides, the TTDI warns that significant investment is needed to close gaps in enabling conditions and market share between developing and high-income countries. One possible pathway to help achieve this would be sustainably leveraging natural and cultural assets – which are less correlated with country income level than other factors – and can offer developing economies an opportunity for tourism-led economic development.

“It’s essential to bridge the divide between differing economies’ ability to build a strong environment for their travel and tourism sector to thrive,” said Iis Tussyadiah, Professor and Head of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Surrey. “The sector has big potential to foster prosperity and mitigate global risks, but that potential can only be fully realized through a strategic and inclusive approach.”

Mitigating future global challenges

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risks Report, the travel and tourism sector faces various complex risks , including geopolitical uncertainties, economic fluctuations, inflation and extreme weather. Balancing growth with sustainability also remains a major problem, due to high seasonality, overcrowding, and a likely return of pre-pandemic emissions levels. The report also analyses persistent concerns about equity and inclusion. While the tourism sector offers a major source of relatively high-wage jobs, particularly in developing countries, gender parity remains a major issue for regions such as MENA and South Asia.

Despite these challenges, the sector can play a significant role in addressing them. To achieve this, decision-makers should prioritize actions such as leveraging tourism for nature conservation efforts; investing in skilled, inclusive and resilient workforces; strategically managing visitor behaviour and infrastructure development; encouraging cultural exchange between visitors and local communities; and using the sector to bridge the digital divide, among other policies.

If managed strategically, the travel and tourism sector – which has historically represented 10% of global GDP and employment – has the potential to emerge as a key contributor to the well-being and prosperity of communities worldwide.

About the Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024

The 2024 edition of the TTDI includes several improvements based on newly available data and recently developed indicators on the environmental and social impact of travel and tourism. The changes made to the 2024 Index limit its comparability to the previously published TTDI 2021. This year's report includes recalculated 2019 and 2021 results, using new adjustments. TTDI 2024 reflects the latest available data at the time of collection – end of 2023. The TTDI is part of the Forum’s broader work with industry communities actively working to build a better future enabled by sustainable, inclusive, and resilient industry ecosystems.

Notes to editors

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Rostov-on-Don city, Russia

The capital city of Rostov oblast .

Rostov-on-Don - Overview

Rostov-on-Don or Rostov-na-Donu (often simply Rostov in daily use) is a large city located in southwestern Russia, the administrative center of the Southern Federal District and Rostov Oblast. It is a large administrative, economic, cultural, scientific, educational, industrial center and the most important transport hub in the South of Russia.

The population of Rostov-on-Don is about 1,135,000 (2022), the area - 348 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 863, the postal codes - 344000-344999.

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Rostov-on-don city latest news and posts from our blog:.

4 December, 2017 / Stadiums and Matches of the World Cup 2018 in Russia .

2 July, 2017 / Rostov-on-Don - the view from above .

13 March, 2016 / Official Look of Host Cities of World Cup 2018 in Russia .

1 February, 2014 / Snow apocalypse in Rostov region .

12 January, 2011 / The most beautiful staircase of Rostov-on-Don city .

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19 March, 2016   / March 19, 2016, at about 3:43 am local time, a passenger plane "Boeing-737-800" belonging to the airline "flydubai" crashed during a second landing approach at the airport of Rostov-on-Don. All 62 people aboard the plane were killed. Our condolences to the bereaved families and relatives.

History of Rostov-on-Don

Foundation of rostov-on-don.

Long before the foundation of Rostov-on-Don, the first Russian emperor Peter I wanted to build a fortress on the site of the present city to protect the southern borders of the Russian Empire from the raids of the Ottomans and Crimean Tatars. But because of the Treaty of the Pruth, which ended the Russo-Turkish War of 1710-1711, it became impossible as the treaty was a political victory for the Ottoman Empire.

By the decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna dated December 15, 1749, the Temernitskaya customs house was founded here, at the mouth of the Temernik River, on the right bank of the Don River in its lower reaches, about 46 kilometers from the mouth of the river, where it flows into the Sea of Azov. In the spring of 1750, a pier, a warehouse, a quarantine, and a garrison barracks were built at the customs.

In 1756, the international “Russian and Constantinople Trading Company” was opened here. Temernitsky port became the only Russian port in the south of the Russian Empire through which trade with the countries of the Black, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas was carried out.

In 1760-1761, the construction of the fortress began to protect the lower reaches of the Don. The garrison of the fortress numbered more than four thousand people. The fortress was originally named after Metropolitan Demetrius of Rostov and Yaroslavl (1652-1709) canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.

More Historical Facts…

Over time, houses for merchants and clergymen, shops, taverns, a prison, and other buildings were built here. The port of Rostov quickly became known in Russia and abroad, attracting more and more Russian and foreign merchants. Foreign goods went from here to the depths of Russia: to Moscow, Smolensk, Kazan, Orenburg, Vyatka, and to numerous fairs.

The fortress had a large garrison, was armed with 238 guns and for half a century was used as a rear base for the Russian troops. The fortress of St. Demetrius of Rostov played a significant role during the Russian-Turkish wars of the second half of the 18th century. During the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774, it served as a base for the offensive against Azov.

Rostov-on-Don in the late 18th - 19th centuries

By the end of the 18th century, because of the annexation of the territory of the Crimean Khanate to Russia, the fortress lost its strategic importance, the fortifications were dismantled. In 1779, Catherine II allowed the Crimean Armenians to settle here. They founded the settlement of Nor-Nakhichevan to the east of the fortress. Today, it is the Proletarsky District of Rostov-on-Don.

The name of the fortress and the settlement subsequently changed: the fortress of St. Demetrius, the fortress of Demetrius of Rostov, the Rostov fortress, just Rostov, and finally, to distinguish it from the old Russian town of Rostov the Great located near Yaroslavl, Rostov-on-Don.

In 1811, Rostov received its coat of arms, which depicted a fortress tower, symbolizing the town’s past. After eliminating the danger from the Ottoman Empire and the development of the southern trade routes, Rostov-on-Don found itself in the center of the country’s foreign trade. In 1836, a new Rostov customs house was built, and in 10 years the trade turnover of the Rostov port increased by about 30 times.

By the middle of the 19th century, it became one of the largest export points for grain and iron in the Russian Empire. The rapid growth in freight traffic caused a strong impetus to the development of river shipping and shipbuilding. Rostov was famous for two fairs, some of the biggest in the country. Rostov also had the largest fish market in Russia.

In 1875, with the construction of the Rostov-Vladikavkaz railway, the opening of the first drawbridge over the Don and the first large railway station, Rostov-on-Don turned into one of Russia’s largest railway junctions. In 1887, it was included in the Don Cossack Host Oblast (an administrative-territorial unit populated mostly by Don Cossacks and governed under special conditions), which was the impetus for the further development of industry.

According to the 1897 census, 119,476 people lived in Rostov-on-Don. The following native languages were mentioned: Russian - 94,673, Jewish - 11,183, Ukrainian - 5,612, Polish - 1,444, Armenian - 1,182, German - 1,182, Tatar - 1,172.

Rostov-on-Don in the 20th century and beyond

During the Russian Civil War of 1918-1920, Rostov-on-Don played a prominent role as one of the centers of the anti-Bolshevik White movement. The Soviet period in the history of Rostov-on-Don began on February 11, 1920. In the late 1920s, active construction began in Rostov-on-Don. In 1926, the plant “Rostselmash”, a giant of the Soviet agricultural machine building, was founded.

On November 29, 1935, the country’s largest drama theater with an auditorium for 2,200 seats was opened in the city. The theater building was designed in the shape of a giant tractor. On September 13, 1937, Azov-Black Sea Krai was divided into Krasnodar Krai with the center in Krasnodar and Rostov Oblast with the center in Rostov-on-Don. In 1939, Rostov-on-Don was the 4th most populated city in Soviet Russia - 510 thousand people.

During World War II, German troops occupied Rostov-on-Don twice: in the fall of 1941 and in the summer of 1942. On November 20, 1941, the Germans entered the city for the first time. A week later, on November 28, Soviet troops recaptured the city during the Rostov offensive operation. The liberation of Rostov was the first significant victory of the Red Army in the initial period of the war.

Rostov-on-Don remained Soviet until July 1942, when, after the failure of the Red Army offensive near Kharkov, the German command launched an offensive in the Kuban and the Caucasus. On July 24, 1942, the 17th Army of the Wehrmacht entered Rostov-on-Don. On February 14, 1943, after the victory at Stalingrad, during the general retreat of the Wehrmacht in the southern sector of the Eastern Front, Rostov-on-Don was finally liberated from German troops.

The war caused great damage to Rostov-on-Don, about 12 thousand houses were destroyed. On August 9, 1945, a general plan for the restoration of the city was approved. It was included in the list of the 15 largest and oldest Russian cities to be rebuilt in the first place. By the early 1950s, it was almost completely done.

In the 1970s, the reconstruction of Rostselmash and other large enterprises of the city was carried out. As a result of mass housing construction, large residential areas Western and Northern were built. The area of the city’s housing stock more than doubled in three decades. In 1987, Rostov-on-Don became one of the cities of the USSR with a population of over one million.

After the collapse of the USSR, Rostov-on-Don became one of the largest business centers and the 10th most populous city in Russia. In 1999, its 250th anniversary was celebrated, a lot of architectural monuments were restored.

In 2000, Rostov-on-Don became the center of the Southern Federal District (about 11% of the total population of Russia). In 2008, it was awarded the honorary title “City of Military Glory”. In 2018, Rostov-on-Don hosted five matches of the FIFA World Cup.

Streets of Rostov-on-Don

Architecture of Rostov-on-Don

Author: Pavel Chelombiev

In the center of Rostov-on-Don

Author: Vadim Anokhin

Rostov-on-Don architecture

Author: Ilya Gusev

Rostov-on-Don - Features

Rostov-on-Don is located in the southeastern part of the East European Plain. The city is mostly located on the right bank of the Don River, on the left bank there are some industrial enterprises, shopping and entertainment centers. The distance to the Azov Sea is about 46 km, to the Black Sea - 380 km, to Moscow - 1,130 km. Unofficially, Rostov-on-Don is called the “Gateway to the Caucasus” and the “southern capital of Russia”.

The climate in the city is temperate continental. Winters are mild and with little snow; the average January temperature is minus 3.0 degrees Celsius. Summers are hot, long and dry, with a predominance of sunny weather; the average July temperature is plus 23.4 degrees Celsius.

The historical coat of arms of Rostov-on-Don, adopted in 1811, depicts a tower symbolizing a barrier from the raids of neighboring peoples (the Crimean Tatars and Turks) and weapons of these peoples as war trophies. The City Day of Rostov-on-Don is celebrated on the third Sunday of September.

Rostov-on-Don is one of the largest economically developed cities in the south of Russia. The products of “Rostselmash” (agricultural machinery) cover more than 50% of the Russian market, “Don Tobacco” - 12%. “Rostvertol” is the only enterprise on the territory of the Russian Federation that produces helicopters for various purposes, “Yug Rusi” is known as the largest producer and exporter of sunflower oil.

This city is the largest transport hub in the Southern Federal District of Russia. Platov International Airport, commissioned in December 2017 for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is located about 40 km from Rostov-on-Don and offers regular flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Astrakhan, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Sochi, Dubai, Istanbul, and a number of other cities. Several federal and regional highways pass through Rostov-on-Don, including the M-4 “Don” highway, which runs along the outskirts of the eastern side of the city.

Too low traffic capacity of streets and lack of good transport interchanges plus a large traffic flow, especially during peak hours, are the main reasons for frequent traffic jams. Also, the problem of parking for personal vehicles is very acute, especially in the old part of the city, in the center. Cars parked near office buildings occupy a large area of the roadway, which also leads to the creation of traffic jams.

Many in Russia know the criminal nickname of this city: “Rostov - papa” meaning “Rostov - dad” (similar to the nickname of the city of Odessa in Ukraine - “Odessa - mama” meaning “Odessa - mom”). Rostov-on-Don and Odessa became the southern capitals of the criminal world during the late Russian Empire.

At the end of the 19th century - the beginning of the 20th century, a lot of criminals led a nomadic, vagrant lifestyle. Therefore, when they were detained without passports and asked about their parents, one could hear the answer: “Rostov is my dad, Odessa is my mom.” This is one of the versions of the origin of these nicknames. Today, Rostov-on-Don is not included in the list of cities with the highest crime rate in Russia.

The city has more than 800 objects of cultural heritage, including 470 architectural monuments, 55 archeological monuments, 106 monuments of monumental art and military glory. The historic center of Rostov is especially rich in monuments of architecture.

Rostov-on-Don is also one of the largest jazz centers in Russia. In the early 1980s, the country’s first “professor of jazz” Kim Nazaretov opened the department of pop-jazz music at the Rostov Conservatory.

Main Attractions of Rostov-on-Don

Bolshaya Sadovaya Street - one of the oldest and most beautiful streets in Rostov-on-Don, where a lot of city sights are located. Its length is about 4 km. Most of the buildings are old mansions where the families of local merchants and industrialists once lived. Numerous sculptures and monuments are installed on this street.

The Rostov City Hall (1899), an architectural monument of federal significance and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, is located on this street (Bolshaya Sadovaya Street, 47). The two-story Margarita Chernova House, gifted to this famous actress of the 19th century by her rich admirer (Bolshaya Sadovaya Street, 27/47), can be considered a real gem of the street.

The main entrance to the Central City Park named after Maxim Gorky, the oldest park in the city, can also be found on this street. At the entrance there is a bronze statue of Vladimir Lenin on a granite pedestal.

Rostov Regional Museum of Local Lore - one of the largest museums in the south of Russia representing the nature, culture and history of the Rostov region. The most interesting exposition can be found in the hall “Treasures of the Don Burial Mounds” - about 2,000 gold and silver items of the 4th century BC - 8th century AD. Bolshaya Sadovaya Street, 79.

Embankment of the Don River . Named after the Russian admiral Fyodor Ushakov, it is the main resting place for locals and visitors of Rostov-on-Don. At any time of the day, you can ride a boat or motor ship here. For walking, there is a pedestrian zone about 2 km long with a lot of original sculptures and monuments. Another attraction of the embankment is the light and music fountain. All city holidays and festivals are held on the embankment.

Pushkinskaya Street - a very picturesque, wide, shady street that is perfect for walking at any time of the year. The street began to actively build up in the first decade of the 20th century. This part of the city was chosen by merchants and wealthy artisans. Most mansions are still in good condition. There are also cozy cafes and restaurants here.

Theater Square - the main square of Rostov-on-Don. The 65-meter-high “One Sky” Ferris wheel installed nearby is the largest one in the south of Russia. An excellent panorama of the city opens from its highest point. Other attractions include a huge building of the Maxim Gorky Drama Theater constructed in the shape of a tractor, a stele to the Soviet soldiers-liberators, a large fountain, the Administration Building of the North Caucasian Railway (a monument of public architecture of the early 20th century).

Underground passages decorated with mosaics - a unique monument of Soviet art created by master mosaicist Yuri Palshintsev in several underground passages at the intersections of the main city streets in 1979-1984. The best time to look at the mosaics and take photos is late in the evening, when passers-by are not in the way.

Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1854-1860) - the main Orthodox church in Rostov-on-Don, one of the main architectural and historical monuments of its center. This five-domed church built in the Russian-Byzantine style resembles the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The height of the bell tower (1875-1887) is 75 meters. The cathedral is located next to the busiest part of the city center - the Central Market. Stanislavskogo Street, 58.

Surb Khach Church (1786-1792) - an Armenian church in Rostov-on-Don. Built by Armenian migrants from Crimea in memory of the monastery of the same name, it is the oldest preserved building of Rostov-on-Don. Bagramyana Street, 1.

Pictures of Rostov-on-Don

Eiffel Tower in Rostov-on-Don

Author: Stanislav Pierwszy

Flower beds and the monument to Soviet soldiers in Rostov-on-Don

Monument to a merchant-peddler and his cat in Rostov-on-Don

Author: Eugeny Gromenko

Rostov Regional Museum of Fine Arts . The collection of the museum includes about 6,000 works of painting, graphics, sculpture, decorative and applied arts. The permanent exhibition presents old Russian art, Russian art of the 18th - early 20th centuries, foreign art of Western European masters and countries of the East, the collection of 20th century art. Pushkinskaya street, 115.

Museum of the North Caucasian Railroad . The collection of this open-air museum includes more than 50 steam, diesel, electric locomotives and wagons, as well as a variety of railway machinery and equipment. The length of the four museum tracks is 1,900 meters. Tsiolkovskogo Street, 73.

Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University - a beautiful green oasis located in the northwestern part of Rostov-on-Don. Numerous trees, shrubs, rare flowers, and herbs are growing on an area of more than 160 hectares. In one place, examples of flora from Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, North and South America are collected. The exhibition hall features a collection of exotic insects. Botanicheskiy Spusk Lane, 7.

Rostov Zoo - one of the largest zoos in Russia covering an area of 57 hectares. It is home to about 5 thousand animals of 400 species. A distinctive feature of this zoo is its extensive park area, which makes it a particularly popular recreation place among city residents. Zoologicheskaya Street, 3.

Abandoned Paramonov’s Warehouses - a huge warehouse complex built almost in the very center of the city in the middle of the 19th century. Despite its dilapidated state, this monument of industrial architecture is one of the favorite places of locals and tourists. Red-brick walls and water flowing from windows surrounded by greenery make this place mysterious and attractive. Nizhnebulvarnaya Street, 27.

Monument “Tachanka-Rostovchanka” - a monument in honor of the First Cavalry Army standing at the southern entrance to Rostov-on-Don. The tachanka is a spring cart with a machine gun attached to it. It is one of the main symbols of the Russian Civil War. The height of this very picturesque monumental sculptural composition is 15 meters.

Levberdon - an informal name for urban areas stretching along the left bank of the Don for almost 10 km. Almost all of this territory is occupied by free and paid beaches, walking areas, recreation centers, restaurants, summer cafes, clubs, and other entertainment establishments. This area also attracts fishing enthusiasts.

Don Military History Museum - an interesting museum located in the village of Nedvigovka, about 35 km west of Rostov-on-Don. The model of the old fortress is of great interest. In the open air and in hangars, one can see rare exhibits of military equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, Red Cross vehicles, minefield clearing machines, various types of transport, artillery pieces of the Soviet Union, Germany, and the United States.

Rostov-On-Don city of Russia photos

Sights of rostov-on-don.

Monument to Sholokhov in Rostov-on-Don

House of the Mayor Zvorykin on Pushkinskaya Street in Rostov-on-Don

Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rostov-on-Don

Author: Poluyan Sergey

Rostov-on-Don views

Rostov-on-Don city architecture

Author: Sarychev Sergei

The railway station of Rostov-on-Don

Author: Svetlana Baklitskaya

The questions of our visitors

Rostov-on-Don is among top 10 most criminal cities in Russia. So from this point of view it is not a very safe city. However, if you are concerned about safety during the World Cup 2018, then during this time, special efforts will be made to ensure security, so a visit to the city will be relatively safe.

I would recommend that you still follow such simple precautions as always keep your documents, tickets, cards, cash with you because thefts are still very possible. You should also avoid walking alone in the evening/night time especially not in the central part of the city.

All 6 questions

The comments of our visitors

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• The Top Attractions In Rostov...

The Top Attractions in Rostov-on-Don

Contributor / Journalist

Rostov-On-Don city is a port and the administrative center of Southern Federal District of Russia. It lies to the southeast of the East European Plain, on the Don River. The city stands on the banks of the Don River, about 46 kilometres east of the Azov Sea and 1,070 kilometres south of Moscow. The climate is temperate continental. Rostov-on-Don has a specific unique outlook because of its rich historical and cultural heritage.

There are more than 1,000 objects of cultural heritage in the city, among them 482 architectural monuments, 70 archaeological monuments, eight large memorial complexes and 106 monuments. It is a major transport hub of the southern part of European Russia and a large educational and scientific center of Russia. So take a look at the city’s major points of interest. Our tips will make your trip to Rostov-On-Don unforgettable and full of interesting activities. https://www.instagram.com/p/BXex-Lzh8uV/?taken-at=213270263 Pushkin Street Take a look at this landscaped boulevard, lined with thousands of trees, flowers, restaurants, food kiosks, benches, memorials and statues. Pushkin Street leads into both the City Park and October Revolution Park. The biggest street of the city is always crowded and you can find a lot of activities there as a tourist. Undoubtedly the first place to go upon arrival, especially if you’re hungry. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYVR7KrHPyl/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD Don River Lookout Right after a visit to Pushkin Street, move to Don River lookout (aka, the Embankment) where you’ll enjoy a stroll along the riverside. The Embankment is lined with several restaurants, statues, fountains and a few souvenir shops; it also has an outstanding picturesque view. Yet it is considered to be the centre of Rostov’s nightlife. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQtspxHtsu/?taken-at=1092801284125416 Rostov Zoo If you’re in travelling with children, then this zoo is well worth a visit. One of the largest zoos in Russia, it is home to a huge variety of animals, including giraffes, camels, polar bears, falcons, reptiles, fish and tigers. Located right in the city centre. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQDpiIAGEU/?taken-at=879146942 Maxim Gorky Academic Drama Theatre. This theatre is a famous venue for dramatic plays, comedies and concerts in the Rostov area. It is located on the eastern end of Bolshaya Sadovaya Street (Teatralnaya Square 1), directly across the street from the monument known as ‘Stella’. Maxim Gorky Theatre operates even in summer when all other venues are closed. https://www.instagram.com/p/BNCnw_DA4Lo/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%80%D1%8B%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BA Central Market This massive outdoor and indoor market, which consists of many tiny shops and kiosks, can be both exciting and intimidating for tourists. Market shopping is one of the most memorable experiences that Russia has to offer for an adventurous tourist who just arrived here. You can buy anything here. The market is located in the downtown area, on Stanislavskovo Street, just four blocks south of the central intersection of Bolshaya Sadovaya Street. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYXMs9Xjcsk/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD Bridges Over the Don River & Embankment This city network of bridges and overpasses was constructed between 2007 and 2010, and it consists of a steel and a concrete composite structures across the River Don. Almost all the bridges were designed by the St ­Petersburg engineering firm TransMost and constructed by the Moscow contractor MostoTrest.

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The Cathedral of Rostov the Great: Reclaiming Russia’s past

Rostov. Cathedral compound, southwest view. From left: Dormition Cathedral, belfry, north wall of Kremlin, Church of Resurrection over North Gate. June 28, 1995

Rostov, often referred to as “the Great” (Rostov Veliky) to distinguish it from the southern city Rostov-on-Don, is one of the earliest historically attested towns in Russia. Located some 130 miles northeast of Moscow, the town benefits from a superb natural setting on the north shore of Lake Nero.

In Summer 1911, the Russian chemist and photographer Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky visited the town during one of his journeys to chronicle the diversity of the Russian empire in the early 20th century. As usual in the medieval period, Rostov’s architectural ensemble is gathered around a grand cathedral. Especially evocative in this regard is Prokudin-Gorsky’s general view of the town center from a bell tower that no longer exists. My photographs of Rostov were taken over a span of three decades from 1988 through 2019. 

Rostov Kremlin. Northwest view from bell tower of All Saints Church (destroyed). From left: Dormition Cathedral, Church of Resurrection over North Gate, Church of St. John the Divine over West Gate. Summer 1911

A long, distinguished history

Rostov is first mentioned under the year 862 in the ancient chronicle "Tale of Bygone Years." Throughout the 10th century, Slavic settlers — primarily from the Novgorod lands — moved into this area, which was already inhabited by Finno-Ugric tribes. 

In 988 Prince Vladimir of Kiev, the Christianizer of Russia, gave the Rostov lands to one of his sons, Yaroslav, a major figure who subsequently became known as "the Wise."  By the middle of the 11th century, the Rostov lands had passed to Yaroslav's son Vsevolod, and Christian missionaries such as Leonty of Rostov intensified their attempt to convert a largely pagan local population. For his efforts, Bishop Leonty was martyred in the early 1070s.           

Rostov. Holy Gate (entrance to Cathedral compound). South view. July 5, 2019

The consolidation of church authority was symbolized in the mid-12th century by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky's Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, rebuilt by Prince Konstantin Vsevolodovich in the 1220s. Although Rostov was captured during the Mongol invasion of 1237-38, the cathedral and monasteries remained largely intact. 

Following the invasion, Rostov gained importance through church institutions during a time of widespread devastation. In the 14th century, Rostov served as a center of religious learning and missionary activity, producing such pioneers as St. Stephan of Perm and Epiphanius the Wise. 

Architectural innovations

Dormition Cathedral, west view. Right background: Cathedral belfry. July 5, 2019

A rebuilding of the Dormition Cathedral after a fire in 1408 prolonged the life of the limestone structure. Yet construction innovations emanating from Italian architects in the Moscow Kremlin in the late 15th and early 16th centuries led to a new wave of major church building. The fundamental reconstruction of the Rostov Cathedral on the site of the earlier limestone versions was an event of much significance. Begun perhaps in the reign of Ivan III and continued by Vasily III in the early 16th-century, the new Rostov cathedral was modeled on the Dormition Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin. In this way, the Rostov cathedral reflected the dominant political position of Moscow and its desire to enhance the ancient centers of Russian religious culture.           

Cathedral compound, northwest view. From left: Dormition Cathedral, belfry, Holy Gate, north Kremlin wall with Church of Resurrection over North Gate. Summer 1911

Unlike its Moscow predecessor, whose walls were of cut limestone blocks, the walls of the Rostov Dormition Cathedral were built of brick on a limestone base, with limestone pillars used only to delineate the four bays (sections) of the facades. Otherwise, the Rostov cathedral bore a clear resemblance to the Moscow model, which was itself based on the late 12th-century Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir.           

All three of these monuments have a large arcade frieze extending along the center of the facades. The bays of each façade culminate in curved gables known as zakomary . The structures are crowned with five cupolas elevated on drums, and the interior of each cathedral has six massive piers (or columns in the case of Moscow) that support the roof vaults. 

Although the rebuilding of the Rostov cathedral is usually dated to 1508-12, some specialists have proposed that the structure was enhanced in the late 1580s. At this time Rostov's stature as a religious center increased due to its elevation from an episcopate to a metropolitanate in 1589. 

Dormition Cathedral, southeast view with 17th-century porch (main entrance to cathedral from Metropolitan's Court). July 5, 2019

At the same time, Ecumenical Patriarch Jeremias II of Constantinople and a council of Orthodox Patriarchs agreed to bestow the status of Patriarch on the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Russian Church, centered in Moscow, thus gained full and final authority to manage its affairs.             

Although Rostov was sacked by Polish forces in 1609 during the dynastic crisis known as the Time of Troubles, it regained its place as a cultural and economic center in northeastern Muscovy. The magisterial Dormition Cathedral played a significant role in maintaining this status. 

The Rostov kremlin

Rostov’s greatest architectural transformation occurred in the second half of the 17th century with the construction of its “kremlin,” a grandiose project initiated by a dynamic church leader, Jonah Sysoevich (ca. 1607-90). The son of a country priest, Jonah rose through the monastic structure in Rostov and in 1652 was appointed Metropolitan of Rostov by the newly elected Patriarch Nikon. 

Situated a short distance from the new kremlin walls, the Dormition Cathedral served as a visual “anchor” for the Metropolitan's Court (as the kremlin was formally known). The visual transition from the cathedral to the kremlin ensemble was provided by one of Russia’s greatest belfries (zvonnitsa), erected in two phases between 1682-89.  

Dormition Cathedral, interior. View east with main dome & icon screen. July 5, 2019

In the late 17th century, the Dormition Cathedral’s low hemispherical cupolas were replaced by the magnificent flaring onion domes that matched the crowns of Jonah’s new kremlin churches, such as the nearby Church of the Resurrection over North Gate. Prokudin-Gorsky was able to photograph the two shrines together, a view that I replicated several decades later. Including the cross above the central dome, the height of the cathedral reached nearly 200 feet.           

As with many other large Russian churches, the Dormition Cathedral’s original curved roofline was replaced with a simpler sloped roof visible in Prokudin-Gorsky’s photographs. My photographs show the post-war restoration to the earlier roofline that followed the contours of the semicircular zakomary gables.           

On the interior, the cathedral walls were painted with frescoes, the earliest of which were done around 1589. A full painting of the vast interior walls was begun in 1659 by a group of artists under the direction of Joseph Vladimirov, a painter from Yaroslavl who worked in the Moscow Kremlin. A decade later this group was joined by the noted masters Gury Nikitin and Sila Savin.           

Unfortunately, much of this interior work was damaged by a fire in 1671 and further obscured by a retouching in 1779 and a capital repainting in 1843. Additional damage occurred during the Soviet period, although restoration efforts in the 1950s uncovered fragments of the 17th-century frescoes.           

Dormition Cathedral, interior. Chapel of St. Leonty. July 5, 2019

A process of extensive cleaning and restoration of the interior walls has only recently begun. One of the first results is the Chapel of St. Leonty, located on the south side and containing the martyred bishop’s relics.           

The interior’s most visible element is a towering Baroque icon screen crafted in the 1730s and 1740s. During the same period the cathedral territory, or compound, was enclosed with a low brick wall entered through a small tower known as the Holy Gate.            

Dormition Cathedral (left), north wall of Kremlin & Church of Resurrection over North Gate. South facade, view from Metropolitan's Chambers. October 4, 1992

Symbol of medieval Rus’

During the 18th century, Rostov's status diminished, and in 1788, the Rostov metropolitanate was abolished. Rostov's decline became so severe that in the 19th century the church considered razing many buildings in Jonah's kremlin and turning the rest into warehouses for the adjacent trading rows.            

Fortunately, one of the earliest preservation groups in Russia rallied during the second half of the 19th century to save the great works of art and architecture. Rostov became a symbol of the conservation of Russia's medieval culture, including the Dormition Cathedral.           

Dormition Cathedral (left), north wall of Kremlin & Church of Resurrection over North Gate. South facade, view from Metropolitan's Chambers. Summer 1911

With the establishment of Soviet power, the Dormition Cathedral was relegated to parish use and then closed altogether. The large interior was used for various purposes, including workshops.           

In 1953, a storm caused tremendous damage to the city and destroyed most of the large 17th-century cupolas. Restoration experts rallied to repair both the cathedral and the kremlin under the supervision of Vladimir Banige, a leading specialist in Rostov’s cultural heritage.           

The Dormition Cathedral and the cathedral belfry were returned to the Orthodox Church in 1991. The prolonged, painstaking process of restoration has begun after decades of neglect and will likely extend for many years to come. 

Dormition Cathedral (left), north wall of Kremlin & Church of Resurrection over North Gate. South facade, view from Metropolitan's Chambers. July 5, 2019

In the early 20th century the Russian photographer Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky invented a complex process for color photography. Between 1903 and 1916 he traveled through the Russian Empire and took over 2,000 photographs with the new process, which involved three exposures on a glass plate. In August 1918 he left Russia with a large part of his collection of glass negatives and ultimately resettled in France. After his death in Paris in 1944, his heirs sold his collection to the Library of Congress. In the early 21st century the Library digitized the Prokudin-Gorsky Collection and made it freely available to the global public. A number of Russian websites now have versions of the collection. In 1986 the architectural historian and photographer William Brumfield organized the first exhibit of Prokudin-Gorsky photographs at the Library of Congress. Over a period of work in Russia beginning in 1970, Brumfield has photographed most of the sites visited by Prokudin-Gorsky. This series of articles will juxtapose Prokudin-Gorsky’s views of architectural monuments with photographs taken by Brumfield decades later. 

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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International tourism reached 97% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024

• All Regions
• 21 May 2024

International tourist arrivals reached 97% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024. According to UN Tourism, more than 285 million tourists travelled internationally in January-March, about 20% more than the first quarter of 2023, underscoring the sector’s near-complete recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.

In 2023 international tourist arrivals recovered 89% of 2019 levels and export revenues from tourism 96%, while direct tourism GDP reached the same levels as in 2019.

UN Tourism’s projection for 2024 points to a full recovery of international tourism with arrivals growing 2% above 2019 levels. In line with this, the newest data released by the UN specialized agency for tourism show that:

Yet it also recalls the need to ensure adequate tourism policies and destination management, aiming to advance sustainability and inclusion, while addressing the externalities and impact of the sector on resources and communities

• The Middle East saw the strongest relative growth, with international arrivals exceeding by 36% pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2024, or 4% above Q1 2023. This follows an extraordinary performance in 2023, when the Middle East became the first world region to recover pre-pandemic numbers (+22%).  
• Europe , the world's largest destination region, exceeded pre-pandemic levels in a quarter for the first time (+1% from Q1 2019). The region recorded 120 million international tourists in the first three months of the year, backed by robust intra-regional demand.
• Africa welcomed 5% more arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 than in Q1 2019, and 13% more than in Q1 2023.
• The Americas practically recovered pre-pandemic numbers this first quarter, with arrivals reaching 99% of 2019 levels.
• International tourism is experiencing a rapid recovery in Asia and the Pacific where arrivals reached 82% of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2024, after recovering 65% in the year 2023.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "The recovery of the sector is very welcome news for our economies and the livelihoods of millions. Yet it also recalls the need to ensure adequate tourism policies and destination management, aiming to advance sustainability and inclusion, while addressing the externalities and impact of the sector on resources and communities".

By subregions, North Africa saw the strongest performance in Q1 2024 with 23% more international arrivals than before the pandemic, followed by Central America (+15%), the Caribbean and Western Europe (both +7%). Southern Mediterranean Europe exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 1%, while South America virtually reached 2019 levels.  Northern Europe recovered 98% of pre-pandemic levels, while Subsaharan Africa and North America both recovered 95%.

According to available data, many destinations across the world continued to achieve strong results in Q1 2024, including Qatar (+177% versus Q1 2019), Albania (+121%), Saudi Arabia (+98%), El Salvador (+90%), Tanzania (+53%), Curaçao (+45%), Serbia (+43%), Turks and Caicos (+42%), Guatemala (+41%) and Bulgaria (+38%).

The robust performance of international tourism can also be seen in the UN Tourism Confidence Index which reached 130 points (on a scale of 0 to 200) for the period January-April, above the expectations (122) expressed for this period in mid-January.

International tourism receipts reached USD 1.5 trillion in 2023, meaning a complete recovery of pre-pandemic levels in nominal terms, but 97% in real terms, adjusting for inflation.

By regions, Europe generated the highest receipts in 2023, with destinations earning USD 660 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 7% in real terms. Receipts in the Middle East climbed 33% above 2019 levels. The Americas recovered 96% of its pre-pandemic earnings in 2023 and Africa 95%. Asia and the Pacific earned 78% of its pre-crisis receipts, a remarkable result when compared to its 65% recovery in arrivals last year.

Total export revenues from international tourism, including both receipts and passenger transport, reached USD 1.7 trillion in 2023, about 96% of pre-pandemic levels in real terms. Tourism direct GDP recovered pre-pandemic levels, reaching an estimated USD 3.3 trillion in 2023, equivalent to 3% of global GDP.

Several destinations achieved remarkable results in terms of receipts in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to 2019 levels based on available data, including Serbia (+127%), Türkiye (+82%), Pakistan (+72%), Tanzania (+62%), Portugal (+61%), Romania (+57%), Japan (+53%), Mongolia (+50%), Mauritius (+46%) and Morocco (+44%).

Looking ahead to a full recovery globally in 2024

International tourism is expected to recover completely in 2024 backed by strong demand, enhanced air connectivity and the continued recovery of China and other major Asian markets.

The latest UN Tourism Confidence Index shows positive prospects for the upcoming summer season, with a score of 130 for the period May-August 2024 (on a scale of 0 to 200), reflecting more upbeat sentiment than earlier this year. Some 62% of tourism experts participating in the Confidence survey expressed better (53%) or much better (9%) expectations for this 4-month period, covering the Northern Hemisphere summer season, while 31% foresee similar performance as in 2023.  

Challenges remain

According to the UN Tourism Panel of Experts, economic and geopolitical headwinds continue to pose significant challenges to international tourism and confidence levels.

IMF's latest World Economic Outlook (April 2024) points to a steady but slow economic recovery, though mixed by region. At the same time, persisting inflation, high interest rates, volatile oil prices and disruptions to trade continue to translate into high transport and accommodations costs.

Tourists are expected to continue to seek value for money and travel closer to home in response to elevated prices and the overall economic challenges, while extreme temperatures and other weather events could impact the destination choice of many travellers. This is increasingly mentioned by the UN Tourism Panel of Experts as a concern for the sector.

Uncertainty derived from the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Hamas-Israel conflict and other mounting geopolitical tensions, are also important downside risks for international tourism.

As international tourism continues to recover and expand, fuelling economic growth and employment around the world, governments will need to continue adapting and enhancing their management of tourism at the national and local level to ensure communities and residents are at the center of this development.

Related links

• Download News Release on PDF
• Excerpt | World Tourism Barometer - Volume 22 • Issue 2 • May 2024

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