Global international arrivals climbed 5% in the first nine months of 2025, reaching 1.1 billion, about 50 million more than the same period in 2024, the UN World Tourism Barometer reported.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said international tourism continued to grow in both arrivals and receipts despite high travel costs and geopolitical tensions. He highlighted Africa and Europe as regions showing particularly strong results.
Regional Performance
Overall international travel showed steady expansion across major regions. Africa recorded the fastest growth, with arrivals up 10% through September. North Africa rose 11%, while Sub-Saharan Africa increased 10%.
Europe, the largest global destination region, welcomed 625 million international tourists between January and September 2025, a 4% gain from the same period in 2024. Furthermore, all European subregions attained sound outcomes during the third quarter, substantiating a busy summer season.
Western Europe saw a 5% upturn, and Southern Mediterranean Europe increased 3%, yet Northern Europe logged a minor 1% decline. Central and Eastern Europe maintained a swift recovery at +8%, despite visits there remaining 11% below 2019 levels.
The Americas recorded 2% growth overall in the period, having seen a 3% gain in the first two quarters but then a 1% drop in the third. South America achieved the best result in the territory at +9% despite a level third quarter.
Conversely, North America saw a 1% decrease partly due to small reductions in the United States and Canada, although Central America visits grew by 3%, and the Caribbean attained a 1% gain.
The Middle East experienced a 2% rise in arrivals, placing the region 33% above 2019 levels. Asia and the Pacific increased 8%, reaching 90% of 2019 volumes. North-East Asia recorded a 17% increase compared with 2024 but remained 12% below 2019.
Regarding specific destinations, some of the fastest growth rates for visits were logged in Brazil (+45%), Vietnam and Egypt (+21%), along with Ethiopia and Japan (+18%). South Africa reported 17% growth, Sri Lanka and Mongolia achieving 16% each, and Morocco noting 14%. Notably, all these destinations exceeded 2019 levels.
Air Travel and Accommodation Indicators
International air passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), rose 7%, while available seat kilometers (ASKs) increased 6% during the first nine months.
Accommodation occupancy reached 68% in September, unchanged from the same month in 2024, according to STR data.
Tourism Receipts and Outbound Spending
Tourism receipts grew in multiple destinations. Japan increased 21%, Nicaragua 19%, Egypt 18%, Mongolia and Morocco 15%, Latvia 13%, Brazil 12%, and France 9%. Outbound spending from major markets also rose: United States 7% through August, France 5%, Germany and Italy 4%, Spain 15% through August, and Republic of Korea 7%.
Outlook for 2025
UN Tourism projected international arrivals to increase 3% to 5% in 2025. Data through September aligns with this forecast, though high travel costs and geopolitical challenges remain potential constraints.
Early-year data indicates global tourism sustained growth across regions, supported by higher arrivals and strong spending. Analysts note that continued momentum will depend on economic conditions and geopolitical developments in the coming months.
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