Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism

International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) grew by 4% in 2025 highlighted at FITUR travel show UN Tourism. According to the first World Tourism Barometer of the year, an estimated 1.52 billion international tourists were recorded globally in 2025, almost 60 million more than in 2024.

These figures point to a return to pre-pandemic growth patterns, closer to the average annual increase of around 5% recorded between 2009 and 2019. Performance was driven by strong global demand, solid results from major source markets, and the continued recovery of destinations across Asia and the Pacific. Expanded air connectivity and improved visa facilitation also helped support international travel in 2025.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Alnuwais declared : “Demand for travel remained strong throughout 2025, despite high inflation in tourism services and uncertainty stemming from geopolitical tensions. We expect this positive momentum to carry into 2026, as the global economy is projected to remain stable and destinations still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels continue their recovery.”

Africa posts strongest growth in 2025; Asia and the Pacific continuous rebound

The UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer provides comprehensive regional, subregional, and destination-level data for the sector. Key findings from the latest edition include:

• Europe, the world’s largest destination region, welcomed 793 million international tourists in 2025, a 4% increase compared to 2024 and 6% above 2019 levels. Western Europe (+5%) and Southern Mediterranean Europe (+3%) delivered solid results. Central and Eastern Europe rebounded strongly (+6%), though arrivals remained 9% below pre-pandemic levels.

• The Americas recorded 218 million international arrivals, up 1% year over year, with mixed subregional performance. Following a strong first half, arrivals declined slightly in the third and fourth quarters, partly reflecting weaker results in the United States. South America (+7%) and Central America (+5%) led growth, while some Caribbean destinations (+0%) were affected by Hurricane Melissa in the final quarter.

• Africa saw arrivals rise 8% in 2025, with particularly strong growth in North Africa (+11%).

• The Middle East posted 3% growth in 2025, reaching levels 39% above those of 2019—the strongest performance relative to pre-pandemic benchmarks. The region nearly reached 100 million international visitors last year.

• Asia and the Pacific recorded 331 million international arrivals, up 6% from 2024, though still 9% below 2019 levels as the region continued its recovery. North-East Asia led with 13% growth, while South Asia fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Most destinations report positive results in 2025

• Following solid growth in 2024, the majority of destinations continued to post strong results in 2025.

• Among destinations reporting full-year data, several recorded double-digit growth in international arrivals, including Brazil (+37%), Egypt (+20%), Morocco (+14%), and Seychelles (+13%). Destinations reporting data through November also showed strong gains, such as Bhutan (+30%), Iceland (+29%), Guyana (+24%), South Africa (+19%), and Japan (+17%).

• The increase in arrivals was mirrored across other industry indicators. According to the UN Tourism Data Dashboard, international air capacity and passenger traffic both rose 7% through October 2025, based on IATA data. Global hotel occupancy reached 66% in November 2025, matching levels seen in November 2024, according to STR.

Tourism export revenues reach a record USD 2.2 trillion in 2025

Monthly figures indicate strong visitor spending throughout 2025, with preliminary estimates placing global international tourism receipts at USD 1.9 trillion, a 5% increase from 2024.

Total tourism export revenues—including international tourism receipts and passenger transport—are estimated at USD 2.2 trillion in 2025. Additional highlights include:

• International tourism receipts recorded exceptional growth in 2025, building on an already strong 2024, with many destinations reporting faster growth in spending than in arrivals.

• Destinations posting solid increases in tourism receipts during the first ten to twelve months of 2025 include Morocco (+19%), the Republic of Korea (+18%), Egypt (+17%), Mongolia (+15%), Japan (+14%), Latvia (+11%), and Mauritius (+10%), all measured in local currencies.

• Among the world’s leading tourism earners, the United Kingdom and France (both +9%), as well as Spain (+7%) and Turkey (+6%), recorded strong growth compared with the same period in 2024.

• International tourism expenditure data reflects similarly strong demand, particularly from major source markets such as the United States (+8%), France (+4%), Spain (+16%), and the Republic of Korea (+10%).

Outlook for 2026: steady growth but ongoing challenges

International tourism is projected to grow by 3% to 4% in 2026 compared with 2025, assuming continued recovery in Asia and the Pacific, stable global economic conditions, and no further escalation of geopolitical conflicts. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, however, remain a growing risk for the sector.

• UN Tourism’s outlook for 2026 reflects a normalization of growth following the sharp rebound in international arrivals in 2023 (+34%) and 2024 (+11%), and a 4% increase in 2025.

• This outlook is supported by the latest UN Tourism Confidence Index and survey of its Panel of Experts. Nearly 58% of respondents expect better or much better performance in 2026 than in 2025, while 31% anticipate similar results and 11% foresee weaker performance.

• Experts cited economic conditions, high travel costs, and geopolitical risks as the main challenges facing international tourism in 2026, with roughly half of respondents identifying these as the most significant factors.

• While global headline inflation eased in 2025, inflation in tourism-related services remains elevated by historical standards. As a result, travelers are expected to continue prioritizing value for money.

• Although favorable economic prospects and lower oil prices could support tourism growth in 2026, uncertainty related to geopolitical risks, trade tensions, and extreme weather events may weigh on traveler confidence.

• International tourism is expected to be driven by major global events, including the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, are also expected to boost international travel.

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