Besides the obvious advantage of bringing money to a country, there are several benefits to having visitors from one country to another.  The reputation of the host country is enhanced by the pleasant experiences that the visitor then relates to friend and family.  A small country in a scenic area (for example, the coastline and island countries of the Caribbean) can assuage fears of visitors regarding alien cultures, language, etc. and enhance its international reputation.  In turn, businesses will see those countries as favorable venues to do business.  Governments seeking financial investment can point to favorable tourist experiences as proof that the economy is safe.  The Gross National Product of a country, especially a small country, can often depend on tourist activity for its financial health.  Finally, the local native population benefits from exposure to other visiting cultures.