Global tourism showed resilience in the first quarter of 2026, with 307 million travelers traveling abroad, or 6 million more than the same period in 2025, up 2%, according to the latest UNWTO barometer.
If January and February were marked by solid demand, rising by 2.5%, March saw a clear slowdown, up only 0.4%, directly linked to geopolitical tensions.
Europe and Africa emerge as the engines of this growth.
Europe, the world’s leading destination, hosted more than 130 million visitors, a 4% increase, benefiting in part from a shift in flows toward Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, the North and the East.
If January and February were marked by solid demand, rising by 2.5%, March saw a clear slowdown, up only 0.4%, directly linked to geopolitical tensions.
Europe and Africa emerge as the engines of this growth.
Europe, the world’s leading destination, hosted more than 130 million visitors, a 4% increase, benefiting in part from a shift in flows toward Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, the North and the East.
Tourism: The Middle East stalls
Africa also climbs by 4%, supported by a striking 18% jump in North Africa in March.
Asia and the Americas, by contrast, show more restrained momentum. The Asia-Pacific region posts an overall 3% growth, restrained by a 27% drop in South Asia due to air-transport disruptions, although Oceania, at +9%, and Northeast Asia, at +5%, register solid performances.
The Americas register a moderate 2% uptick, masking wide disparities between the dynamism of Central America at +18% and the downturn in South America at -1%.
To read: Tourism: after a difficult month of May, operators turn to the government!
Conversely, the Middle East is in a slump. The region is bearing the full force of the conflict, with a 14% drop in arrivals in the first quarter and hotel occupancy collapsing from 75% in January to 48% in March. Only Egypt stands out, with a pronounced 16% rise.
The Middle East conflict is profoundly altering the travel economy well beyond its geographical area.
Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of UNWTO, notes that disruptions to air links, coupled with maritime instability in the Strait of Hormuz, are driving up the price of oil and kerosene.
This situation leads to a mechanical rise in airfares and a reduction in transport capacity.
Asia and the Americas, by contrast, show more restrained momentum. The Asia-Pacific region posts an overall 3% growth, restrained by a 27% drop in South Asia due to air-transport disruptions, although Oceania, at +9%, and Northeast Asia, at +5%, register solid performances.
The Americas register a moderate 2% uptick, masking wide disparities between the dynamism of Central America at +18% and the downturn in South America at -1%.
To read: Tourism: after a difficult month of May, operators turn to the government!
Conversely, the Middle East is in a slump. The region is bearing the full force of the conflict, with a 14% drop in arrivals in the first quarter and hotel occupancy collapsing from 75% in January to 48% in March. Only Egypt stands out, with a pronounced 16% rise.
The Middle East conflict is profoundly altering the travel economy well beyond its geographical area.
Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of UNWTO, notes that disruptions to air links, coupled with maritime instability in the Strait of Hormuz, are driving up the price of oil and kerosene.
This situation leads to a mechanical rise in airfares and a reduction in transport capacity.
Tourism: Transport costs darken the outlook
The Middle East conflict deeply reshapes the travel economy beyond its regional borders.
Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of UNWTO, notes that disruptions to air links, coupled with maritime instability in the Strait of Hormuz, trigger a surge in the price of oil and kerosene.
This situation causes a mechanical increase in airfares and a reduction in transport capacity.
According to IATA, air traffic in the Middle East contracted by 61% in March, although global air traffic overall maintained a 4% growth for the quarter, thanks to the shift of flows toward European, Asian and African airlines.
In the face of these inflationary pressures and prevailing uncertainty, industry professionals display more measured optimism for the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere.
The UNWTO Confidence Index stands at 105 for May to August, down from 117 at the start of the year. Nearly two-thirds of experts believe that the conflict negatively affects demand.
These economic constraints push travelers to adjust their behavior: the search for value for money becomes paramount and demand tends to shift toward nearby destinations.
Despite this climate of uncertainty, which is expected to trim global growth by 1 to 2 percentage points versus initial forecasts, significant opportunities loom, notably for Canada, the United States, and Mexico, which are preparing to host the FIFA World Cup.
Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of UNWTO, notes that disruptions to air links, coupled with maritime instability in the Strait of Hormuz, trigger a surge in the price of oil and kerosene.
This situation causes a mechanical increase in airfares and a reduction in transport capacity.
According to IATA, air traffic in the Middle East contracted by 61% in March, although global air traffic overall maintained a 4% growth for the quarter, thanks to the shift of flows toward European, Asian and African airlines.
In the face of these inflationary pressures and prevailing uncertainty, industry professionals display more measured optimism for the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere.
The UNWTO Confidence Index stands at 105 for May to August, down from 117 at the start of the year. Nearly two-thirds of experts believe that the conflict negatively affects demand.
These economic constraints push travelers to adjust their behavior: the search for value for money becomes paramount and demand tends to shift toward nearby destinations.
Despite this climate of uncertainty, which is expected to trim global growth by 1 to 2 percentage points versus initial forecasts, significant opportunities loom, notably for Canada, the United States, and Mexico, which are preparing to host the FIFA World Cup.
