According to data published by the UN News Service, the number of international tourists worldwide reached 1.52 billion in 2025, which is an increase of 60 million people, or 4 percent, compared to 2024.
These results indicate a recovery of global tourism to levels prior to the pandemic. The main factors driving this growth were high demand for travel, positive dynamics in major markets, and the ongoing recovery of flows in Asia and the Pacific region. Additionally, the expansion of air travel and improvements in visa services contributed to the increase in international travel in 2025.
The Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization, Sheikha Al Nuwais, emphasized that interest in travel remained high throughout the year, despite rising inflation in the tourism sector and geopolitical uncertainty.
Some countries that provided statistics for the past year recorded double-digit growth in the number of international tourists. The leaders in this indicator were Brazil (with a growth of 37 percent), Egypt (20 percent), Morocco (14 percent), and the Seychelles (13 percent).
Preliminary data indicates that tourism revenues in 2025 reached a record $2.2 trillion.
Forecasts for 2026 predict a growth in international tourism of 3-4 percent compared to 2025, provided that the recovery in Asia and the Pacific region continues and global economic conditions remain stable, without escalation of geopolitical conflicts. However, the existing geopolitical tensions pose additional risks to the tourism industry this year.
Moreover, major international events, such as the Winter Olympics in Italy and the World Cup (Canada, the USA, and Mexico), also contribute to the growing interest in international travel.
