Africa tourism up by 8% as global tourism hits record high
The United Nations Tourism Organization reported an 8% increase in tourism to Africa, reaching 81 million visitors last year. Key destinations such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and South Africa demonstrated strong performance in the sector.
The United Nations Tourism Organization reported an 8% increase in tourism to Africa, reaching 81 million visitors last year. Key destinations such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and South Africa demonstrated strong performance in the sector.
Morocco experienced a 14% increase in visitors, with export revenues from tourism rising by 19%. Egypt saw a 20% growth in international arrivals, and South Africa recorded a 19% increase.
Europe remains the top destination region globally, with nearly 800 million international arrivals in 2025, marking a 4% growth from the previous year. France, the UK, and Spain witnessed tourism receipt increases ranging from 7% to 9%, while Turkey's receipts rose by 6%.
Additionally, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan experienced a significant 30% rise in tourist numbers. In Asia and the Pacific, international arrivals grew by 6%, reaching 331 million, which is approximately 91% of pre-pandemic levels.
The increase in arrivals was driven by enhanced international air capacity, improved visa facilitation, and strong demand from key tourism markets. Global tourism receipts reached $1.9 trillion in 2025, representing a 5% increase from the previous year.
The United Nations Tourism Organization reported an 8% increase in tourism to Africa, reaching 81 million visitors last year.
Despite high inflation in tourism services and geopolitical uncertainties, travel demand remained robust throughout 2025. The UN Tourism Organization anticipates continued positive trends into 2026, supported by global economic stability and the recovery of destinations still below pre-pandemic levels.
Major events such as the Winter Olympics in Italy and the World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are expected to boost international tourism in 2026. However, ongoing geopolitical tensions pose significant risks to the sector.
While global tourism reached record levels in 2025, North America experienced a decline in arrivals, with a 1.4% decrease to 135.4 million. The report cited weak performance in the United States as a contributing factor but did not provide specific figures.
The U.S. government's restrictive foreign policy measures, including migration curbs and proposed requirements for tourists to disclose social media histories, may have deterred potential visitors.
Rising visitor numbers since the pandemic have led to management challenges in popular tourist destinations. In response, authorities have implemented measures to alleviate the impact on local infrastructure and environments. Japan introduced entry fees and a daily cap on hikers for Mount Fuji. Rome plans to charge a two-euro entry fee for access to the Trevi Fountain starting in February.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
