International tourism continued to rebound in the first half of 2025, with nearly 690 million travelers crossing borders between January and June, according to UN Tourism. The figure represents a +5% increase compared to 2024 and about +4% above 2019 pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the industry’s resilience despite lingering global uncertainties.
Regional Trends:
* Africa registered the fastest growth, climbing +12%, with North Africa up +14% and Sub-Saharan Africa rising +11%.
* Asia-Pacific grew +11%, reaching 92% of 2019 volumes, while North-East Asia surged +20%.
* Europe, the largest destination region, welcomed nearly 340 million arrivals, up +4% from 2024 and +7% higher than 2019, though Central and Eastern Europe remains below pre-pandemic levels.
* The Americas posted +3% growth, led by South America’s +14%.
* The Middle East slipped -4% year-on-year, but still sits +29% above 2019.
Destination Highlights: Japan and Vietnam both climbed +21%, Morocco +19%, Republic of Korea +15%, and Malaysia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong rose 7–9%. France and Spain, the world’s top destinations, each advanced +5%.
Air Travel & Spending: International flights and capacity were both up +7%, while hotel occupancy held steady at 69–71%. Tourism receipts were strong: Japan reported +18% growth, the UK +13%, and France, Spain, and Türkiye all saw gains of 8–9%. Outbound spending surged from key markets, including China (+16%), Spain (+16%), and the UK (+15%).
UN Tourism forecasts +3% to +5% global growth in arrivals for 2025, though risks remain from inflation, high travel costs, and geopolitical pressures. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the need for inclusive and sustainable tourism, saying, “This growth is a great responsibility… to ensure it benefits local communities and protects our future.”
Global Tourism Hits 690M Visitors in H1 2025: Africa & Asia Lead Growth
