The countries making up the top 17 include the Seychelles,


More and more people are expanding their horizons and exploring the world, new statistics show, but some locations are creating more of a buzz than others.

The United Nations World Travel Organization has released its latest Travel Barometer, featuring the countries where arrivals rose fastest in 2015.

Leading the pack was Paraguay where tourism grew a whopping 97 per cent in 2015, making it the fastest growing travel destination of last year, closely followed by Tajikistan which saw 94 per cent more visitors than the previous year.

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1. Paraguay (up 97 per cent to 1.28m)

Paraguay is home to 6.8million people as well as subtropical forests and beautiful rivers - including the Paraguay River (above)

The country stealing the title for the fastest growing destination when comparing tourism rates was awarded to Paraguay, which saw an estimated 1.28million visitors arrive - almost double the figures welcomed in 2014.

As well as receiving the fastest grower status for its 97 per cent increase, Paraguay became South America's eighth most visited country, falling slightly behind neighbours, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay.

The large country, which has an estimated population of around 6.8million people, is located between Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia, and is home to large areas of swampland, subtropical forests and beautiful rivers - including the Paraguay River.

2. Tajikistan (up 94 per cent to 414,000)

Known for its luscious green landscapes and rugged mountains used by hikers and climbers, the central Asian country took home the second spot

Off the beaten track, Tajikistan became better known in 2015, with 414,000 tourists flocking to the country in Asia.

The home to 8.2million people, which borders Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, saw a 94 per cent increase in the amount of visitors it received in 2015.

Known for its luscious green landscapes and rugged mountains used by hikers and climbers, the central Asian country took home the second spot for this year's fastest risers.

3. Niue (up 62.9 per cent to 10,000)

Niue is often referred to as 'The Rock' by local people - a spin off nickname from its traditional title 'Rock of Polynesia'

Tiny island country, Niue, saw 62.9 per cent more visitors heading to its sands in the South Pacific Ocean in 2015.

Despite the increase only amounting to 3,000 people, this is more than double the population of people residing there - as only 1,109 were recorded living there when last check in 2014.

Niue, which is situated Northwest of New Zealand, is often referred to as 'The Rock' by local people - a spin off nickname from its traditional title 'Rock of Polynesia'.

4. Japan (up 47.5 per cent to 20million)

Japan is packed up with high-rise buildings, imperial palaces and mountainous national parks - making it an obvious contender for one of the most popular destinations to visit

Filled with Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and cherry blossoms, Japan's popularity levels hit the roof in 2015 when they reached a 47.5 increase, seeing the amount of tourists visiting the country hit figures of around 20million people.

The large country, which has an estimated population of 127million people, is packed with high-rise buildings, imperial palaces and mountainous national parks - making it an obvious contender for one of the most popular destinations to visit.

The crowded capital lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia.

5. Iceland (up 29.8 per cent to 1.3millon)

Iceland, the home place of mountains, hot springs, black-sand beaches and glaciers, was visited by 1.3million people over the year

WHERE ARRIVALS ROSE FASTEST Hungary, which came in eleventh place with a 19.1 per cent increase and 14.5million visitors is a country in Central Europe 1. Paraguay (up 97 per cent to 1.28m) 2. Tajikistan (up 94 per cent to 414,000) 3. Niue (up 62.9 per cent to 10,000) 4. Japan (up 47.5 per cent to 20million) 5. Iceland (up 29.8 per cent to 1.3millon) 6. Bosnia and Herzegovina (up 28.2 per cent to 687,000) 7. Panama (up 22.4 per cent to 2.13million) 8. Thailand (up 22.3 per cent to 30.3million) 9. Chile (up 20.4 per cent to 4.5million) 10. Palau (up 19.2 per cent to 168,000) 11. Hungary (up 19.1 per cent to 14.5million) 12. Seychelles (up 18.7 per cent to 318,000) 13. Sri Lanka (up 17.8 per cent to 2.12million) 14. Cuba (up 17.3 per cent to 3.48million) 15. Colombia (up 17.2 per cent to 3million) 16. Oman (up 17 per cent to 1.78million) 17. Romania (up 16.9 per cent to 2.24million) Advertisement

Iceland's starring role in the latest Star Wars film - The Force Awakens - may have helped it slide into fifth place of the countries that welcomed extra tourists to their country in 2015.

The home place of mountains, hot springs, black-sand beaches and glaciers, was visited by 1.3million people over the year. As well as it's breathtaking beauty, the Nordic country, which is home to 323,002 people, also offers a renowned nightlife scene.

Ireland, another country to feature in the latest movie alongside Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, saw a 14 per cent increase in arrivals.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is made up of mountainous terrain, medieval villages and Muslim and Christian landmarks, placed sixth

The stunning white sand and clear sea country of Panama, which links Central and South America, saw 2.13million people visit

Eighth place was awarded to Thailand which received a 22.3 per cent increase, taking its 2015 visitor total to 30.3 million

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is made up of mountainous terrain, medieval villages and Muslim and Christian landmarks, was placed sixth for a 28.2 per cent increase, taking its overall visitation figures for the year to 687,000 people.

Coming in seventh was Panama. The stunning white sands and clear sea country which links Central and South America saw 2.13million people explore its modern skyscrapers, casinos and nightclubs in 2015 - a 22.4 per cent increase from 2014.

Eighth and ninth places were awarded to Thailand - from a 22.3 per cent increase, taking its 2015 visitor total to 30.3 million - and Chile welcomed 4.5million guests in the 12 month period - a 20.4 per cent boost.

Chile welcomed 4.5million guests in the 12 month period was placed in ninth place with a 20.4 per cent boost on tourism

The tiny island of Palau, which is home to just 27,000 people, was visited by 168,000 travellers - more than six times its population and a 19.2 per cent rise

The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off East Africa and was placed in twelfth place for 2015

South-east Asia experienced a good year for figures. Not only did Thailand, a traveller favourite, welcome an additional five million visitors, but Laos saw a 14.2 per cent increase, Burma 13.3 per cent and the Philippines 11.1 per cent.

The mesmerising Palau in the South Pacific took home tenth place. The tiny island, which is home to just 27,000 people, was visited by 168,000 travellers - more than six times its population and a 19.2 per cent rise.

Making up the rest of the top 17 countries to earn a tourism increase of more than 15 per cent, was Hungary, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Colombia, Oman and Romania.

Sri Lanka is a rugged land of rainforest, diverse wildlife and endless beaches - and last year it was visited by a huge 2.12million people