The United Nations has unveiled its comprehensive annual World Tourism Barometer, providing a detailed snapshot of short-term travel trends across the globe. The data reveals a resilient and expanding international tourism sector, with Africa emerging as the standout region for growth in 2025.
Global Tourism Sets New Post-Pandemic Record
International tourist arrivals worldwide increased by four per cent in 2025, reaching an approximate 1.52 billion visitors. This figure represents nearly 60 million more travellers than in 2024, marking a new record for the industry in the post-pandemic era. The growth occurred despite persistent inflationary pressures and ongoing geopolitical challenges, demonstrating a robust and sustained appetite for global travel.
Africa's Remarkable Surge in Visitor Numbers
Africa recorded 81 million tourist arrivals last year, which, while significantly lower than the volumes seen in Europe and the Americas, represented the largest regional increase at eight per cent. North Africa was a particular hotspot, achieving an impressive eleven per cent growth.
Morocco, the continent's largest destination, welcomed fourteen per cent more international arrivals, coming close to the milestone of 20 million visitors. Other top African performers included:
- South Africa with a nineteen per cent increase
- Ethiopia growing by fifteen per cent
- Seychelles rising thirteen per cent
- Tunisia and Sierra Leone both achieving ten per cent growth
Regional Performance Across the Globe
Europe maintained its position as the world's most visited region, welcoming 793 million arrivals—a four per cent increase from 2024 and six per cent above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Iceland led European destinations with a remarkable twenty-nine per cent surge in visitors.
Asia and the Pacific recorded the second-highest growth rate at six per cent, with total arrivals reaching 331 million. Notable increases were seen in Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
The Middle East experienced a three per cent growth in 2025, with Egypt leading the region followed by Jordan, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The Americas, with 218 million tourists, saw a more modest one per cent increase. However, Brazil stood out with an extraordinary thirty-seven per cent rise, accompanied by strong performances from Curaçao, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Aruba.
Economic Impact and Future Projections
Critically, no global region experienced a decrease or stagnation in tourist numbers. The worldwide tourism sector is estimated to have generated approximately $2.2 trillion (£1.6 trillion) in export revenues throughout the year.
Looking ahead, the United Nations predicts international tourism will continue its upward trajectory, forecasting an additional three to four per cent growth in 2026 compared to 2025's record figures.
The UN World Tourism Barometer 2025 key figures are:
- World: 1.52bn international tourist arrivals; four per cent growth
- Europe: 793.5m international tourist arrivals; four per cent growth
- Asia and the Pacific: 331m international tourist arrivals; six per cent growth
- Americas: 218m international tourist arrivals; one per cent growth
- Africa: 81m international tourist arrivals; eight per cent growth
- Middle East: 99.8m international tourist arrivals; three per cent growth
