Global tourism up 2%. Photo: Shutterstock The global tourism industry opened in 2026 on a growth trend, but at a slower pace than expected. According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), approximately 307 million tourists traveled internationally during the first quarter of the year, an increase of 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
The data indicates stable demand at the beginning of the year, but the crisis in the Middle East, which worsened during March, has affected the aviation and tourism industries worldwide. The organization estimates that the annual growth rate is expected to be one to two percentage points lower than the original forecast, which was 3%-4%.
Europe and Africa performed the strongest with a 4% increase in visitor numbers. Europe welcomed more than 130 million international tourists, while North Africa enjoyed a significant increase in demand. Asia and the Pacific recorded a 3% growth, while the Americas saw a 2% increase.
The Middle East was the only region to see a sharp decline, with a 14% drop in international tourist arrivals. However, Egypt stood out positively with a 16% increase in visitors.
According to a survey of experts by UN Tourism, the three main threats to the industry today are the crisis in the Middle East, high transport and accommodation prices, and global economic uncertainty. Rising oil and jet fuel prices are leading to higher airfares and reduced capacity in some markets.
Despite the challenges, the organization remains cautiously optimistic about the northern hemisphere summer season.
It is estimated that travelers will continue to look for good value for their money, and in many cases will prefer vacations close to home over longer, more expensive trips