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In the first quarter of 2025, international tourist arrivals rose by five per cent, reaching over 300 million travellers — a 14 million increase compared to the same period last year. This growth surpasses pre-pandemic levels from 2019 by three per cent, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and high inflation affecting the sector.
According to the UN World Tourism Barometer released in May 2025, this positive trend highlights the resilience of global tourism, which continues to underpin millions of jobs and businesses worldwide.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, “In every global region, tourism stands out as a major services sector, supporting millions of jobs and businesses of all sizes. The continued good performance in international arrivals combined with stronger visitor spending in many destinations highlights the resilience of the sector in the face of numerous challenges and is good news for economies and workers everywhere.”
Regionally, Europe welcomed 125 million visitors in Q1, a two per cent gain from 2024 and a five per cent increase over 2019. Southern Mediterranean Europe experienced a two per cent rise in arrivals, driven by off-season travel demand. Central and Eastern Europe rebounded strongly with an eight per cent increase, especially Baltic destinations, although numbers remain below 2019 levels.
Africa saw a nine per cent rise in arrivals, exceeding pre-pandemic figures by 16 per cent. The Americas attracted two per cent more tourists, with some South American destinations enjoying a remarkable 13 per cent uptick. The Middle East experienced modest growth of one per cent, but arrivals remain 44 per cent above pre-pandemic levels. Asia and the Pacific grew by 12 per cent, with North-East Asia leading a 23 per cent rebound, reaching 91p er cent of 2019 figures.
International air travel demand was up eight per cent in the first quarter, with capacity increasing by seven per cent. Accommodation occupancy rates stood stable at around 64 per cent, reflecting steady industry performance.
Tourism receipts also showed robust growth: Spain reported a nine per cent increase in the first two months of 2025, with other destinations like Türkiye, Greece, Italy, and Portugal performing well. Japan’s receipts surged by 34 per cent, while Nepal, Korea, and Mongolia posted double-digit growth. The United States experienced a three per cent rise in receipts after a strong 2024.
Revised estimates indicate that worldwide tourism export revenues hit a record $2.0 trillion in 2024, an 11 per cent increase, with international receipts accounting for $1.7 trillion. This marks 15 per cent above pre-pandemic levels and highlights the sector’s significant contribution to global trade.
Looking ahead, however, experts caution that economic concerns, high travel costs, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions pose risks to continued growth. The UN Tourism Confidence Index signals cautious optimism for the upcoming summer season, with around 45 per cent of experts predicting better prospects, despite some uncertainty about trade tensions’ impact. Overall, travel demand remains resilient, with projections of a 3-5 per cent increase in international arrivals for 2025.
