Global Tourism Surges in 2025: Africa Leads Growth as International Arrivals Hit 1.52 Billion
The global tourism sector has marked a significant milestone in 2025, with international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) rising by 4% to reach an estimated 1.52 billion—almost 60 million more than in 2024. This robust performance, highlighted in the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, signals a return to pre-pandemic growth patterns, closely mirroring the 5% average annual increase seen between 2009 and 2019 [[1]](https://www.untourism.int/).
Several factors have driven this resurgence, including strong demand from major source markets, the ongoing recovery of destinations in Asia and the Pacific, improved air connectivity, and enhanced visa facilitation. Despite persistent inflation in tourism services and geopolitical uncertainties, consumer appetite for travel remained high throughout the year. UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Alnuwais expressed optimism for continued growth into 2026, citing a steady global economy and the expectation that lagging destinations will fully recover.
Regionally, Africa emerged as the fastest-growing market in 2025, recording an 8% increase in arrivals to reach 81 million visitors, with North Africa leading at +11%. Asia and the Pacific rebounded with 6% growth, though arrivals remain 9% below 2019 levels. Europe maintained its status as the world’s largest destination region, welcoming 793 million tourists—a 4% rise over 2024 and 6% above 2019. The Americas saw modest 1% growth, with South America (+7%) and Central America (+5%) outperforming other subregions. The Middle East posted a 3% increase, standing 39% above pre-pandemic levels and nearing 100 million international visitors.
Several destinations reported double-digit growth in arrivals, including Brazil (+37%), Egypt (+20%), Morocco (+14%), and Seychelles (+13%). Notably, South Africa saw a 19% increase, while Japan, Bhutan, and Guyana also posted strong gains. These positive trends were mirrored in other industry indicators: international air capacity and passenger traffic grew by 7% through October 2025, and global accommodation occupancy reached 66% in November, matching the previous year’s levels.
Financially, export revenues from tourism soared to a record USD 2.2 trillion in 2025, with international tourism receipts estimated at USD 1.9 trillion—a 5% increase from 2024. Many destinations saw receipts outpace arrivals, with Morocco (+19%), Egypt (+17%), Mauritius (+10%), and others reporting solid growth in local currencies. Major tourism earners like the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Türkiye also enjoyed notable increases in revenue.
Looking ahead, international tourism is projected to grow by 3% to 4% in 2026, provided that Asia and the Pacific continue their recovery, global economic conditions remain favorable, and geopolitical tensions do not escalate. Major events such as the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup 2026 are expected to further boost international travel. However, experts caution that economic factors, high travel costs, and geopolitical risks could pose challenges, with tourists likely to continue seeking value for money amid elevated service prices.
For Africa’s tourism industry, these results underscore the continent’s growing appeal and resilience, offering new opportunities for operators and stakeholders to capitalize on rising demand and shifting global travel patterns. As the sector normalizes after years of disruption, the focus will increasingly turn to innovation, sustainability, and the ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving marketplace.
