Global tourism 2025: A record 1.52 billion tourists
In a milestone reflecting the global economic recovery and return to normalcy, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) announced a new record for international tourism in 2025, with 1.52 billion international visitors. This figure is not merely a statistic; it is a powerful indicator of the travel sector's resilience and its ability to overcome the economic and geopolitical challenges that have swept the world in recent years.
Post-pandemic recovery: a historical context
This announcement comes after years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought global travel to a near standstill in 2020. While a slow recovery was anticipated, the figures recorded in 2025 have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2019, confirming that the human desire for exploration and cultural exchange remains a key driver of the economy. The policies of reopening borders and easing visa requirements in many countries have played a pivotal role in this remarkable acceleration.
Numbers and statistics: Europe leads the way, but Asia makes a strong comeback
The agency reported in its official statement that the number of international tourist arrivals last year increased by 4% compared to the previous year, which saw 1.4 billion tourists. Europe continues to maintain its position as the world's leading tourist destination, having welcomed 793 million international arrivals in 2025, a 4% increase over the previous year and a 6% increase compared to 2019 levels.
In a related context, the Asia-Pacific region witnessed a significant recovery, with the number of international arrivals growing by 6% to reach 331 million tourists, thus achieving approximately 91% of pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a return of confidence in major Asian markets.
Africa: A rapidly rising destination
The African continent was not far behind in this positive trend, recording a remarkable 8% increase in arrivals for 2025, bringing the total number of tourists to 81 million. North African countries, particularly Morocco and Tunisia, emerged as preferred destinations that contributed significantly to these positive results, reinforcing the importance of tourism as a major source of foreign currency and employment opportunities in these developing economies.
Economic challenges and future prospects
Despite high inflation in tourism service prices and geopolitical tensions in some regions, Sheikha Al Nuwais, the Secretary General of the Authority, confirmed that travel demand remained high throughout 2025. In a statement issued from the Authority's headquarters in Madrid, she indicated that this positive trend is expected to continue in 2026, supported by the stabilization of the global economy and the recovery of destinations that were still lagging behind.
This report shows that the tourism sector remains one of the most important economic pillars globally, contributing directly to supporting the GDP of countries and promoting cultural exchange between peoples, which bodes well for the future of the travel industry in the coming years.
