Ana Kieu, Jadetimes Staff
Ana Kieu is a Jadetimes news reporter covering travel.
The United States is a top country for tourism in 2024, multiple sources told TravelPulse by Northstar. That's according to data released in May 2024 by the World Economic Forum, along with the University of Surrey in Guildford, England. The United States' current rank is a great position for the country to be in. The country's travel and tourism market contributed a record-breaking $2.36 trillion to the nation's economy in 2023, according to a recent report from the World Travel & Tourism Council. The World Travel & Tourism Council added that the United States broke the world record for economic contributions to the nation's economy, despite the slow return of spending from international travelers. The country nearly doubled the economic contribution of its nearest rival. But some cities are more popular than others, as both citizens and foreigners explore the United States. BookRetreats.com analyzed and identified the top 20 tourist attractions in the country. New York City's Central Park ranked in first place and received a 4.075 point rating out of a potential five-point rating, thanks to its 843 acres of lush greenery to provide an urban escape for residents and tourists alike. Washington, D.C.'s National Mall was behind in second place with a 3.994-point rating, while San Diego's Balboa Park trailed in third place with a 3.795-point rating. BookRetreats.com also reported that nature is a top draw for United States visitors, even though the country is known for its impressive theme parks. 50% of the best places to go in the country were found to be natural sites, as 70% of the country's bottom ten attractions are theme parks. In addition, BookReteats.com reported that the biggest tourist traps in the United States were the Hollywood Walk of Fame, SeaWorld San Diego, and Six Flags Great Adventure.
