Global Tourism Booms in 2025 Despite High Costs
The global tourism industry is booming in 2025, with a significant increase in international tourists. However, high transport and accommodation costs pose as the top challenges for international tourism this year.
From January to June 2025, nearly 690 million tourists travelled internationally, a 33 million increase from the same period in 2024. This growth is reflected in various regions. Africa saw a 12% increase, while the Americas and Asia and the Pacific each recorded 3% and 11% growth respectively. Europe welcomed nearly 340 million tourists, a 4% increase from 2024.
The UN World Tourism Organization projects a 3% to 5% growth in international arrivals for the entire year. This optimism is supported by a slight uptick in the UN Tourism Confidence Index for the September-December 2025 period. Despite these positive trends, tourism inflation is expected to remain high, easing from 8.0% in 2024 to 6.8% in 2025 but staying well above pre-pandemic levels.
International tourism receipts reached a record 1,734 billion US dollars in 2024, with an 11% growth. However, high transport and accommodation costs continue to impact international tourism in 2025. Despite these challenges, the industry remains resilient, with positive growth trends and increased confidence among industry players.
