International tourism resumed its historical pace and closed 2025 with a growth of 4%

Global tourism further consolidated its recovery in 2025 with a 4% growth in international arrivals, totaling 1.52 billion tourists, almost 60 million more than in 2024. The sector's performance is thus approaching the average annual growth of 5% recorded before the pandemic between 2009 and 2019.

Performance was driven by strong demand in key source markets, the ongoing recovery in Asia and the Pacific, increased air connectivity, and visa facilitation policies that boosted international travel. Despite a context marked by inflation in tourism services and geopolitical tensions, interest in travel remained high throughout the year.

Europe once again led global tourism with 793 million international arrivals, 4% more than in 2014 and 6% above 2019 levels. Western Europe and the Southern Mediterranean showed solid performance, while Central and Eastern Europe grew strongly, although still below pre-pandemic levels.

In the Americas, arrivals reached 218 million, representing a 1% increase. South and Central America led the regional performance, while some Caribbean destinations were affected by weather events in the last quarter of the year.

Africa was the best-performing region, with an 8% increase in arrivals, driven especially by the north of the continent. The Middle East also performed strongly, with 3% growth and visitor levels 39% higher than in 2019. Asia and the Pacific continued their recovery with a 6% increase, although they were still 9% below pre-pandemic levels.

At the destination level, several countries showed double-digit growth, including Brazil, Egypt, Morocco and Seychelles, while other markets such as Japan, Iceland, South Africa and Guyana also reported significant progress.

The growth in travel was also reflected in revenue. International tourism expenditure reached $1.9 trillion in 2025, a 5% increase over the previous year, and total tourism export revenue, including passenger transport, reached a record $2.2 trillion. Several destinations achieved revenue growth exceeding that of arrivals, reflecting higher spending per visitor.

Looking ahead to 2026, UN Tourism forecasts additional growth of between 3% and 4%, driven by the continued recovery in Asia-Pacific, a relatively stable global economy, and strengthened air connectivity. However, the organization warns that geopolitical conflicts, travel costs, and extreme weather events will remain risk factors for the evolution of international tourism.

SOURCE: UN Tourism