MADRID.- Defying geopolitical tensions, international tourism increased by 4% in 2025 to reach the highest level in history, with 1.52 billion international trips, UN Tourism reported this Tuesday.
According to this UN agency based in Madrid, the sector’s income registered a progression of 5% to reach 1.9 trillion dollars, with particular dynamism in Africa and Asia, and notable growth in Brazil, with a 37% increase in arrivals.
“Travel demand remained high throughout 2025, despite high inflation in tourism services and uncertainty derived from geopolitical tensions,” explained the Secretary General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Alnowais, in a press release.
“We expect this positive trend to continue in 2026, as the global economy is expected to remain stable and destinations still below pre-pandemic levels to fully recover,” he added.
While Europe remained the most visited continent, with 793 million arrivals, South America saw a 7% rise in international arrivals, with 39.2 million, driven by Brazil.
Central America also followed this positive trend (13.5 million arrivals, +5%), supported by the solid results of destinations such as Guyana (+24%), Guatemala (+8%), Honduras and El Salvador (+7% each).
Although some areas of the Caribbean stagnated due to the impact of Hurricane Melissa in the last quarter, Mexico maintained growth of 6%.
An exposed sector
Spain, the second world destination after France, which approaches 100 million visitors year after year, registered an increase in arrivals of 7%.
The UN Tourism Confidence Index is positive and by 2026 international tourism is expected to grow between 3% and 4%.
This growth will be driven by demand from emerging markets and by the celebration of major events such as the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, in Italy, and the 2026 World Cup, which will be held jointly in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
However, “uncertainty arising from geopolitical risks and current conflicts, trade tensions and climate events could affect travel confidence,” the agency warned.
“A sector so closely linked to international mobility is especially vulnerable to health, geopolitical or climate crises,” Rafael Pampillón, professor of Economics at the IE Business School in Madrid, told AFP.
Thus, for example, in Spain, “the impact of climate change – with more frequent heat waves and increasing water stress – will force tourism calendars, infrastructure and the offer itself to be adapted, both in sun and beach destinations and in cities,” Pampillón added.
Furthermore, the increase in tourist influx is generating tension with residents, since the concentration of visitors in a small number of places is causing more and more congestion problems, but also a rapid increase in housing prices, because many owners prefer to rent at high prices to tourists.
SOURCE: AFP
