People love to travel.

Modern-day traveling brings us vibrant colors, breathtaking sights, and extraordinary food available globally. 

But you might be thinking, how many people travel a year?

How much do they spend when on the road? 

This resource will explore the travel industry, filling your mind with traveling statistics, facts, and tourism culture.

Key Statistics

• Nearly 1 billion people traveled to various countries in 2022!
• Old Romans were the first civilization to become culture tourists in the Middle Ages.
• 51% of people plan their trip to visit their families and loved ones.
• Travel accounted for $1.2 trillion in spending in the United States!
• More than 110 million people from around the world visit France yearly.
• 38% of travelers believe cooking their meal to cut down their spending
• About 25% of global travelers are looking to plan their travels with fewer expenditures by 2023
• Travelers follow or purchase a bunch of deals before traveling.

How Many People Travel a Year?

1. Approximately 1 Billion People Traveled in 2022.

Traveling has become a part of our daily lifestyle.

However, everything changed when COVID hit.

Travel bans have been implemented, only a few selected cars can go out, and even some planes have to be cancelled because of the pandemic.

Going from point A to point B is such a drag in 2020.

But after vaccines have been produced and distributed across the world, traveling is slowly standing on its own two feet again.

Despite almost two years of restricted traveling, approximately 415 million people travelled in 2021.

Moving forward to 2022, the numbers doubled, and about 969 million people travelled.

The statistics prove that people love to travel and it is an essential part of our economy. 

(Statista, DW )

2. Old Romans Were the Very First People to Travel for Fun.

It might come as a surprise but did the old Roman people travel for leisure?

Wealthy Romans would go frolic in the summer villas, go to the waterfalls, or even hike the mountains for fun.

Wealthy Romans travel by caravans or on waterways.

On the other hand, the lower classes travel on foot and put their trust in the road that the wealthy people built.

Well, one of the reasons why they could travel is they invented something that will be significantly needed for traveling, you might not guess it, roads. 

Fully flourished roads are one of the reasons why they could safely and quickly travel.

But on a side note, Old Romans travel as their desire to learn grows.

They believe that traveling is the best way to learn about someone’s culture, observe their art, learn the techniques of their art, listen to their languages, and grow their knowledge of architecture.

(Culture Tourist)

3. 51% of People Plan to See Their Loved Ones This 2023.

There are a lot of trips that people go to, business trips, solo trips, or group travels are coming up this year.

Numerous trips and yet visiting family and friends still top the chart.

According to a survey done by Forbes, 51% of the respondents are expecting to spend their leisure time visiting their loved ones. 

In contrast, here are the top 5 leisure trips that respondents plan to take in 2023, according to Forbes.

• 51% of the respondents are visiting their family and friends.
• 42% of the respondents are planning to go on a road trip.
• 37% of the respondents want to spend their days on a beach vacation.
• 31% of the respondents will be celebrating life events, such as birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.
• 24% of the respondents just want to enjoy nature and go on a camping vacation.

(Forbes)

4. U.S. Travellers Spent About $1.2 Trillion in 2022.

According to data from the U.S. Travel Association, U.S. travelers have spent approximately $1.2 trillion which created a $2.6 trillion footprint.

The firm also stated that the expenditure is on par with the pre-pandemic era.

The travel agency supports the notion of expanding the tourism industry in all sectors and recovering the economic and job growth.

Furthermore, it will become an essential backbone to the nation’s success.

U.S Travel Association President And Chief Executive Geoff Freeman stated that travel has bounced back strongly in 2022 due to the high demand for domestic leisure vacations.

He also shared that the firm will now center its attention on making sure that the international and business sectors continue to grow to boost the U.S. economy.

(US Travel Association)

5. And the Most Visited Country Goes To, (insert Drumroll) France!

We all thought that the most visited country is part of the US region but we got the wrong answer.

France holds a special charm that attracts various travelers worldwide.

With a remarkable number of about 117.1 million international tourists, France’s captivating combination of rich history, stunning artworks, and fascinating culture has made it the top tourist destination for many travelers.

Some of the infamous tourist spots in France include the romantic ambiance of the City of Love Paris, and well-known landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre Dame-Cathedral just to name a few.

If you are looking to spend your time while enjoying a vibrant atmosphere, then France should be added to your bucket list.

(Wisevoter)

6. 38% of Travellers Cook Their Meals to Cut Down on Expenses.

Exploring the wonders of the city, meeting new people, and trying the most exquisite cuisines are some of the essentials of traveling.

When it comes to food, trying new delicacies gives a new perspective to your taste buds.

But in this case, it does not apply to anyone.

According to a survey from Expedia, 38% of travelers would prefer preparing their food than buying in restaurants in different countries.

One of the top comments on the survey states they can save more money for other travel routines.

While others say that they are low on budget. 

One of the drivers of their budget-friendly traveling could be the rising prices of food, tickets, and other traveling expenses, which is why they prefer cooking on their own.

(Expedia, Access)

7. Less Spending, More Travelling for Travellers in 2023!

In recent years, commodities prices have skyrocketed, including plane tickets, gas prices, and even hotels increasing their cost.

Despite the discounts, the expenses are taking in long forms of receipt.

But on the flip side, numerous travelers are still looking to travel more in 2023.

So, why is that? According to reports from Expedia, nearly 25% of travelers are looking to spend their leisure time frugally.

As stated by travelers, having a day off or two allows them to clear their minds and enjoy their peace despite the stressful days they have at work.

In addition, they can find ways to travel while saving coins in their pockets, some may include cooking on their own, using vouchers or discounts, or even traveling using their family car.

(Expedia, Access)

8. Discounts and Promos Are a Traveller’s Best Friend!

Due to the growing price of products when traveling, people tend to download apps or visit travel agency websites to find the best deals before traveling.

Research shows that more than 20% of people visit travel agencies to book deals when traveling to countries.

There are several travel agencies that not only have 4 or 5-star hotel deals but also have all-you-can-eat buffets. 

In addition, travel agencies offer safety when traveling, allowing their customers to have a peaceful and enjoyable leisure time.

(statista)

9. Millennials Use the Power of Technology when Traveling.

As technological advancement rises, traveling also follows the flow.

Some travelers are still struggling when preparing for their trip.

On the other hand, millennials can just use their mobile phone or laptop, and voila! Their ticket is booked, and they are almost ready to go.

According to travel agency Booking’s blog post, 69% of millennials use technology, such as their phones and laptops, to gain momentum when going on a trip.

Moreover, millennials tend to spend more time learning the technology that may surround their traveling routines than other generations.

(Booking, Access)

10. 47% of Millennials Said the Cost Is Keeping Them from Traveling

Traveling may not be for everyone, especially for some millennials.

The cost of travel has skyrocketed so much since the pandemic that 47% of millennials cannot go on a trip, according to AARP statistics.

In addition, 74% of millennials stated that they wish they could bring their work while on the trip so they can earn more and not worry about the expenses.

(AARP, Access)

Conclusion

Traveling opens minds to new jaw-dropping cultures, amazing experiences, and even crazy ideas. It helps you grow, learn, and view the world differently.

Meeting new people and exploring diverse places and landmarks can boost your happiness and create long-lasting memories.

This positive impression is the reason why the answer to the question ‘How many people travel a year?’ remains impressive to this day.

It’s like a journey for your mind and soul that makes your life more exciting and thrilling.

With that said, where do you plan your next trip?

Sources

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