Tourism across Africa grew by 8% in 2025, welcoming 81 million international visitors, according to the latest United Nations Tourism report released Tuesday.
Strong Growth Across African Destinations
The UN’s first World Tourism Barometer of the year highlighted robust performances in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and South Africa.
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Morocco recorded a 14% rise in arrivals, with tourism export revenues climbing 19%.
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Egypt saw international arrivals jump 20%.
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South Africa posted a 19% increase in visitors.
Europe Still Leads Global Tourism
Despite Africa’s strong momentum, Europe remains the world’s top destination region. Nearly 800 million international arrivals were recorded in 2025, up 4% from the previous year. France, the UK, and Spain all reported tourism receipts rising between 7–9%, while Turkey posted a 6% increase.
Smaller destinations also saw remarkable growth. Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom, experienced a 30% surge in tourist arrivals. Meanwhile, Asia and the Pacific welcomed 331 million visitors, a 6% rise that brought the region to 91% of pre-pandemic levels.
Global Travel Resilience Amid Challenges
Worldwide, international tourist arrivals reached a record 1.52 billion in 2025, 4% higher than in 2024. Global tourism receipts totaled $1.9 trillion, marking a 5% increase.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Alnuwais noted that demand for travel remained “robust” despite inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainty. She projected continued growth in 2026, supported by major events such as the Winter Olympics in Italy and the FIFA World Cup hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
However, the agency cautioned that ongoing conflicts and political tensions could pose risks to the sector’s recovery.
North America Struggles
While most regions posted gains, North America saw a 1.4% decline in arrivals, totaling 135.4 million visitors. UN Tourism attributed the dip to “weak results” in the United States, though it did not provide specific figures.
Analysts point to restrictive migration policies and controversial foreign policy positions under President Donald Trump—including threats to annex Canada and Greenland—as factors discouraging international travelers. Additional entry requirements, such as disclosure of social media histories, have also raised concerns among potential visitors.
Overtourism Backlash
The surge in global travel has reignited debates over overtourism. Popular destinations are introducing measures to manage crowds and protect cultural landmarks:
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Japan imposed entry fees and daily caps for hikers on Mount Fuji.
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Rome will begin charging a €2 fee from February for access near the Trevi Fountain.
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In 2024, Japanese authorities even erected a temporary barrier outside a convenience store to prevent congestion caused by tourists photographing Mount Fuji.
