The figures indicate a return to pre-pandemic growth levels, which averaged 5% from 2009 to 2019. Success in this regard is attributed to high demand, stability in key markets, and the recovery of tourist flows in Asia and the Pacific region. Additionally, the active development of air travel and the simplification of visa regimes contributed to the increase in international trips in 2025.
The Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization, Sheila Al-Nuwais, emphasized that interest in travel remained high throughout the year, despite inflation in the tourism sector and geopolitical uncertainty. "We are confident that this positive trend will continue into 2026, as the global economy is expected to remain stable, and destinations that have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels will fully recover," she added.
Tourism revenues in 2025 reached a record high of $2.2 trillion. The most notable growth was observed in countries such as Morocco (19%), South Korea (18%), Egypt (17%), Mongolia (15%), Japan (14%), Latvia (11%), and Mauritius (10%).
There was also an increase in revenues in the UK, France, Spain, and Turkey.
It is projected that international tourism will grow by 3-4% in 2026 compared to 2025, provided that Asia and the Pacific region continue to recover and the global economy remains favorable, without exacerbation of geopolitical conflicts.
The uncertainty caused by the current geopolitical situation and conflicts creates additional risks for the tourism industry in 2026.Major international events, such as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Canada, the USA, and Mexico), will also have a positive impact on international travel.
Photo on the main page is illustrative: UN News Service/M.Wells.
