Global Tourism Grows 0.4% in H1 2026 Amid Geopolitical Pressures

• UN Tourism revises the 2026 global growth forecast down to 1–2%
• Int. arrivals reach 690 million despite crisis in ME and rising travel costs
• Africa and Europe lead regional growth, while ME arrivals decline 22%

Global international tourism recorded modest growth of 0.4% during the first half of 2026, with approximately 690 million tourists travelling across borders between January and June. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, this represents just three million more arrivals than the corresponding period in 2025, as geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices, and inflationary pressures weighed on travel demand.

While international arrivals grew by 2% in the first quarter, they declined by 1% in the second quarter, with June alone witnessing a 3% drop. The Middle East conflict, air travel disruptions, and increasing travel costs were among the key factors affecting global tourism momentum.

Regional performance remained mixed, with Africa leading growth at 4%, followed by Europe at 3% during the six-month period. The Americas recorded a 2% increase, while Asia and the Pacific grew by just 1%, remaining 11% below pre-pandemic 2019 levels. South Asia registered a 5% decline, while the Middle East witnessed a significant 22% drop in arrivals.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais noted that the sector continues to demonstrate resilience, although growth remains fragile amid global uncertainties.

Reflecting the challenging outlook, UN Tourism has revised its 2026 international arrivals forecast to 1–2%, down from its earlier projection of 3–4%. Travellers are increasingly expected to prioritize value for money, shorter-distance journeys, and domestic tourism as uncertainty and travel expenses continue to influence decisions.