International tourism showcased remarkable resilience in the first quarter of 2026, with 307 million people travelling across borders despite rising airfares, geopolitical tensions, elevated airline operating costs and disruptions to global aviation networks, according to the latest figures from the UN Tourism.
The agency reported that international tourist arrivals rose 2 per cent compared with the corresponding period of 2025, underscoring the sector’s continued recovery even as economic uncertainty and regional conflicts reshaped travel patterns.
Growth was strongest at the beginning of the year, with January and February recording robust gains before momentum moderated in March as instability in parts of the Middle East disrupted flight schedules and weakened traveller confidence.
Europe retained its position as the world’s largest tourism market, welcoming more than 130 million international visitors during the three-month period. Demand remained firm across Southern, Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, supported by both leisure and business travel.
Major tourism hubs including Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon, Vienna and Prague continued to attract large visitor numbers, benefiting from extensive international air links, mature hospitality industries and well-developed tourism infrastructure.
Africa emerged as one of the strongest-performing regions, recording 4 per cent growth in international tourist arrivals during the quarter. North African destinations, led by Egypt and Morocco, drove much of the expansion, while countries across sub-Saharan Africa benefited from sustained demand for wildlife tourism, cultural experiences and improving international air connectivity.
The performance highlights Africa’s growing importance in global tourism as governments and private investors continue to expand tourism infrastructure and strengthen aviation links with key international markets.
Across Asia and the Pacific, performance was mixed. Oceania posted solid growth, while parts of South Asia experienced weaker arrivals as disruptions to Middle Eastern air routes affected long-haul travel.
The Americas also recorded growth during the quarter, with Central America providing much of the momentum. Tourism across North America received an additional boost from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which attracted millions of international visitors to the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In contrast, the Middle East experienced a decline in international tourist arrivals as regional conflicts reduced flight frequencies and heightened security concerns, discouraging travel to parts of the region. Egypt remained a notable exception, delivering strong growth despite broader regional challenges.
The aviation sector continued to grapple with higher fuel prices and rising operating costs during the quarter, increasing pressure on airlines and contributing to higher ticket prices. These factors encouraged many travellers to opt for destinations closer to home, reinforcing regional tourism flows.
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