UN Tourism: Over 300 Million Tourists in Q1 2025

Over 300 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of 2025, according to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism. 

This figure, as the Barometer reported, marks a 5% rise on the same period in 2024 and is 3% more than in pre-pandemic year 2019.

The sector achieved this performance despite facing a range of geopolitical and trade tensions, as well as high inflation in travel and tourism services, reports UN Tourism.

Regional Performance Data – Africa & Middle East

The World Tourism Barometer breaks down the data for the first quarter of 2025 by region.

Africa:

Africa recorded 9% growth in arrivals in Q1 2025 compared to 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic traveller numbers by 16%.

The Middle East

The Middle East recorded 1% growth compared to 2024; however, its arrivals stood 44% above pre-pandemic levels this first quarter of the year.

Key Sector Indicators and Export Revenues

Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stated: “The continued good performance in international arrivals combined with stronger visitor spending in many destinations highlights the resilience of the sector in the face of numerous challenges and is good news for economies and workers everywhere.”

Key indicators for the sector include:

• Air Travel Demand: International air travel demand grew 8% in January-March 2025 versus Q1 2024, while international air capacity was up 7%.
• Accommodation Occupancy: Global occupancy rates in accommodation establishments reached 64% in March, approximately the same level as in March 2024 (65%).
• 2024 Export Revenues: Revised data shows that total export revenues from international tourism (receipts and passenger transport) grew by 11% (real terms) to reach a record USD 2.0 trillion in 2024.
  This figure stood about 15% above pre-pandemic levels and represented about 6% of the world’s total exports of goods and services.

Looking Ahead: Economic & Geopolitical Challenges Influence Travel Trends

UN Tourism highlights the latest Panel of Tourism Experts survey points to economic factors, including weaker economic growth, high travel costs, and the increase in tariffs, as the main three challenges that could impact international tourism in 2025.

Uncertainty derived from geopolitical and trade tensions is also weighing on travel confidence. Lower consumer confidence ranked as the fourth main factor affecting tourism this year, while geopolitical risks (aside from ongoing conflicts) ranked fifth.

According to the survey, tourists will continue to seek value for money, but could also travel closer to home or make shorter trips.

UN Tourism Confidence Index

The latest UN Tourism Confidence Index signals cautious optimism for May-August 2025, with 45% of expertsforecasting improved performance, while 33% expect stability compared to 2024. Meanwhile, 22% anticipate weaker results.

UN Tourism notes that, despite global uncertainty, travel demand is expected to remain resilient.