Africa recorded the fastest increase in international tourist arrivals in 2025, outpacing all other regions as the global travel industry continued its post-pandemic recovery, according to newly released United Nations tourism data.
The United Nations World Tourism Barometer reports that international arrivals to the African continent rose by about 8 % in 2025 compared with the previous year, bringing the total to around 81 million visitors. North Africa was a key driver, with an impressive 11 % rise in arrivals.
Several African destinations achieved strong double-digit growth. Egypt saw its tourism numbers jump by roughly 20 %, while Morocco and the Seychelles recorded increases of around 14 % and 13 % respectively. In several markets, tourism receipts also grew significantly in local currency terms.
Globally, international tourist arrivals reached an estimated 1.52 billion in 2025, marking a 4 % increase from 2024 and signaling a return to pre-pandemic growth trends seen in the decade before COVID-19. All regions contributed to the rise, but Africa’s growth rate remained the strongest.
Other regions also posted gains: Asia-Pacific recorded about 6 % growth, Europe 4 %, the Middle East 3 %, and the Americas 1 %. Tourism revenues worldwide climbed alongside arrivals, reaching an estimated USD 1.9 trillion in 2025.
Looking ahead, UN Tourism projects continued expansion in 2026, with global international travel expected to grow by 3 % to 4 % if economic and geopolitical conditions remain stable.
