The United States is one of the world's largest travel industries alongside France and Italy. As most travelers remain fascinated with the destinations' thrilling and unique experiences, the world's biggest travel industries do not rely on their tourism to raise their gross domestic product. In fact, they do not need it, but these top five countries do.
MarketWatch said, citing The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 data, Malta has about 15 percent of its gross domestic product up for tourism, making them the biggest dependents on international tourism. The Mediterranean countries exude much of the laid-back European beauty they are known for, and Americans, Europeans and international travelers, because of its relaxing urban setting, frequently visit Malta.
In line with Malta is Croatia, which also has 15 percent GDP from tourism. Stunning forests and proximity near the Greek Islands, which are an hour away, make Croatia an amazing travel destination. Close to nature and the medieval, amazing beauty it is known for, travelers could not get enough of Croatia's beauty and offerings.
Maldives had about $1.03 billion in profit from tourism in 2014, which makes up 41.5 percent of its economic growth during the time. The country remains reliant on tourism with more tourists coming in 2016. The country's tourism concessionaires are exchanging its luxury beaches in favor of budget-oriented accommodations and activities.
Cambodia is another country that relied heavily on tourism in 2014, according to The Telegraph UK. Cambodia is Central Asia's flagship tourism country because it shows the temples where monks meditate and train themselves spiritually and physically. Visit the beautiful temple of Angkor Wat or relax on the beaches of Sihanoukville, both destinations and more appealing to visiting travelers immediately.
Lastly, no one could ever forget about Iceland and its lovely cliffs, waterfalls and overall friendly and welcoming population. According to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, Iceland's tourism income had made up about 8.2 percent of its GDP. The small country's rich historical preserves of Viking sites and that "Game of Thrones" feeling makes it a famous destination for tourists worldwide.
