International tourism continued its post-pandemic recovery in the first six months of 2025 with a five percent growth. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals grew five percent to 690m in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. This is about four percent above pre-pandemic levels.
Africa posted the sharpest rise in arrivals, up 12 percent compared to the same period in 2024, with North Africa (14 percent) and Sub-Saharan Africa (11 percent) both recording double-digit growth. Asia-Pacific followed closely with an 11 percent increase, driven by a 20 percent surge in North-East Asia. However, international tourist arrivals in the region still remain eight percent below 2019 levels.
Europe, the world’s largest tourism market, welcomed nearly 340m visitors between January and June. Tourist arrivals to Europe grew four percent compared to 2024 and seven percent compared to the pre-pandemic levels, according to the report. While Central and Eastern Europe rebounded strongly (nine percent), the region still trails the pre-pandemic levels by 11 percent.
The Americas recorded a modest three percent growth. South America (14 percent) recorded the highest gain, while North America and the Caribbean posted flat results, partly due to weaker demand from the United States. The Middle East saw a four percent year-on-year decline in arrivals in the review period. Despite the decline, international tourist arrivals in the region were 29 percent higher than the pre-pandemic levels.
According to the report, several destinations posted standout results in the review period. Japan and Vietnam (21 percent each), South Korea (15 percent), Morocco (19 percent), Mexico and the Netherlands (seven percent). France and Spain, the world’s top two tourist destinations, both reported five percent growth. The UNWTO said in its periodic report that the rebound was supported by rising air connectivity. Citing IATA, it said international passenger traffic and capacity rose seven percent year-on-year in the first half of 2025. Hotel occupancy reached 69 percent in June, slightly below last year, but matched 71 percent in July, it added.
Tourism receipts also recorded strong gains in the review period. According to the report, Japan (18 percent), the UK (13 percent), France (nine percent), Spain (eight percent) and Türkiye (eight percent) all reported robust earnings. Outbound spending from major markets such as China (16 percent), Spain (16 percent) and the UK (15 percent) also fueled demand, it added. UNWTO expects international tourist arrivals to grow by three percent to five percent in 2025.
