International arrivals reach 1.52B in 2025 as top destinations see double-digit growth

Global international tourism continued its robust recovery in 2025, with an estimated 1.52 billion international arrivals, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer, released on Jan. 20.

This represents a marked increase over 2024, reflecting sustained demand despite inflationary pressures and geopolitical challenges.

Double‑digit growth in key destinations

Several major travel destinations reported double-digit increases in visitor arrivals last year:

• Japan rose 17% through November 2025, boosted by growing global interest in its culture, heritage, and gastronomy.
• Brazil saw a 37% increase, driven by Carnival, Rio de Janeiro’s role as UNESCO’s World Book Capital, and major international events.
• Egypt posted 20 percent growth, aided by the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which attracted global attention.
• Iceland recorded a 29% rise in visitors, fueled by natural attractions such as heightened Northern Lights activity and the approaching solar eclipse.

Other destinations with notable growth include Bhutan (+30%), Guyana (+24%), South Africa (+19%), Morocco (+14%), and the Seychelles (+13%).

Iceland’s dramatic landscapes continue to draw international travelers, making it one of Europe’s fastest-growing tourist destinations in 2025. (Adobe Stock Photo)

Türkiye among top tourism earners

Among the world’s leading tourism earners, Türkiye recorded 6% growth in the first ten to twelve months of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. This solid increase places Türkiye alongside other major destinations such as the United Kingdom (+9%), France (+9%), and Spain (+7%), demonstrating strong performance in attracting high-spending international visitors.

Europe remained the world’s most visited region, recording 793 million international arrivals, up 4% from 2024 and 6% above 2019 levels. Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific also posted solid growth, illustrating a broad-based rebound in global travel.

While tourism demand remained robust throughout most of 2025, rising costs in tourism services and global economic pressures contributed to a moderation toward the end of the year.

Furthermore, UNWTO forecasts continued growth in 2026, with 3–4% increases expected in international arrivals, provided economic and geopolitical conditions remain stable.

January 25, 2026 11:42 AM GMT+03:00