Africa Leads Global Tourism Surge as International Arrivals Hit New Highs in 2025
- The global tourism sector continued its strong recovery in 2025, with international arrivals rising 5% between January and September compared to 2024, and surpassing 2019 levels by 3%. More than 1.1 billion tourists travelled internationally during this period, despite challenges such as high inflation and ongoing geopolitical tensions. The third quarter alone saw a 4% year-on-year increase, highlighting resilient demand.
According to UN Tourism, Africa emerged as the best-performing region, recording a remarkable 10% growth in arrivals. North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa both achieved double-digit increases, reinforcing tourism’s growing economic importance across the continent. Europe also performed well, welcoming 625 million visitors (+4%), while the Middle East maintained the strongest recovery relative to pre-pandemic levels. Asia and the Pacific continued rebounding (+8%), and the Americas saw modest overall growth (+2%).
Several destinations reported outstanding gains, including Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, Ethiopia, Japan, and South Africa. Air travel and accommodation sectors kept pace: international air traffic grew 7%, and global hotel occupancy held steady at 68%. Tourism receipts also rose sharply in key destinations, supported by strong outbound spending from major markets.
For Africa, these trends indicate exceptional momentum and new opportunities for investment, improved connectivity, and enhanced visitor experiences. The region’s performance suggests that its tourism sector is not only recovering but strengthening its competitive position in the global travel landscape.
Source: Travel News Update | 02/12/2025
