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These are the best countries for tourists to visit in 2019, according to th
The Alhambra palace complex in Granada, Spain, with the Sierra Nevada mountains visible in the background, on June 11, 2013
Peter Travers | Future Publishing | Future | Getty Images
Spain has topped the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s ranking of countries best equipped to welcome tourists in 2019.
The Mediterranean country, which has been named the most "travel-ready" nation by the WEF since 2015, was followed by France and Germany in the index. Japan and the United States rounded out the top five.
The United Arab Emirates was the most attractive Middle Eastern country, while Mauritius, in 54th place, was the highest-ranking country in Africa.
A total of 140 countries were included in the ranking, which the WEF publishes every other year.
The index was compiled by measuring 90 individual indicators in each country, which fell into categories such as environmental sustainability, health and hygiene, natural and cultural resources, and international openness.
However, in its report, published Wednesday, the WEF also warned that many countries were at a tourism "tipping point" — meaning surges in visitors threatened to overwhelm or damage the resources that attracted tourists in the first place.
This was particularly true for developing nations, the report said, calling for more work to be done by the tourism industry to help preserve cultural and natural assets.
One example of this was Thailand, the WEF said, where authorities were forced to close the famous Maya Bay cove after a rise in tourism caused extensive ecological damage to the area.
The 10 most attractive countries for tourists in 2019
10. Switzerland
The shores of Lake Geneva
Olaf Protze | LightRocket | Getty Images
Switzerland's position in the top 10 hasn't changed since 2017, with the small European nation scoring highly for its business environment, environmental sustainability and labor market.
The country isn't just appealing to tourists, however — in HSBC's 2019 expat survey, Switzerland was named the best place in the world to live and work, and the Swiss city of Zurich topped Deutsche Bank's 2019 quality of life ranking.
9. Canada
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.
Matteo Colombo | DigitalVision | Getty Images
The WEF gave Canada the top scores in the Americas for safety and security, environmental sustainability and air transport infrastructure.
In August, data from Statistics Canada showed the number of American visitors to Canada during the first six months of 2019 was the highest it had been for that period since 2007.
8. Italy
Venice, Italy.
Halil Sarikaya / EyeEm | EyeEm | Getty Images
Italy's ranking in the 2019 report was unchanged, with tourists flocking to its famous cultural sites like Rome and Florence.
The report's authors noted that authorities in Venice have plans to redirect cruise ships away from the city's central islands following public discontent.
"It is vital that policy-makers pay attention to these trends," they said. "Failure to adequately address issues related to rising tourism numbers has the potential to negatively impact future competitiveness, making nations victims of their own success."
7. Australia
Tier Und Naturfotografie J und C Sohns | Getty Images
Australia, famed for its diverse landscapes and unique wildlife, scored well for safety and tourist infrastructure but fell short in the price competitiveness category.
In May, Australia was named the top dream vacation destination in a survey of U.S. travellers.
6. United Kingdom
A general view of the Long Walk leading to Windsor Castle on May 9, 2018 in Windsor, England.
Samir Hussein | WireImage | Getty Images
The U.K. slipped one place lower in this year's ranking, receiving a low score for its price competitiveness.
Britain's departure from the EU is expected to impact travel to the U.K., with experts at Oxford Economics predicting a no-deal Brexit may lead to a 4% increase in inbound tourism due to a weaker currency. Outbound tourism, however, would decline by 5%, economists said.
5. United States
Summer view along the Merced River in the Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California
Willowpix | iStock | Getty Images
The U.S. overtook Britain this year to claim fifth place in the WEF's ranking.
In June, U.S. News & World Report named three American locations in its 10 best vacation spots in the world: Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Maui, Hawaii.
4. Japan
Tokyo urban aerial view at sunset
Photography by ZhangXun | Moment | Getty Images
A record 31 million tourists visited Japan last year, according to the country's tourism minister.
On Wednesday, a report by Mastercard showed that Tokyo was the ninth most-visited city in the world in 2018, with 12.93 million people traveling to the Japanese capital. Mastercard forecasted a 10% increase in tourism to Tokyo for 2019.
3. Germany
The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany.
Michael Zwahlen | EyeEm | Getty Images
In third place, Germany has been in the WEF's top three most attractive tourist destinations since 2017.
Lonely Planet's top recommendations for visitors to the country include trips to the cities of Berlin and Munich, as well as the Black Forest in southern Germany.
2. France
Eiffel Tower, Paris.
Westend61 | Getty Images
Paris was the second-most visited city in the world last year, Mastercard's research showed, with more than 19 million tourists flocking to the city.
The French capital also topped the U.S. News & World Report's annual Best Vacation Destinations ranking.
According to data from the French government, nearly 90 million tourists travelled to France in 2018, marking a new visitor record for the country, which hopes to welcome 100 million foreign tourists in 2020.
1. Spain
Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain.
Ihor_Tailwind | iStock | Getty Images
"Spain is both a stereotype come to life and a country more diverse than you emagined," Lonely Planet says, highlighting the historical Alhambra and the beach resort of San Sebastian as must-see destinations.
The WEF said Spain remained the most competitive country for attracting tourists thanks to its rich natural and cultural resources.
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