UN Tourism: Africa Sees 9% Growth in International Arrivals in Q1 2025
#Global tourism continued its recovery in early 2025, with international arrivals rising by 5% year-on-year in the first quarter, according to UN Tourism’s May 2025 World Tourism Barometer. Africa recorded a strong 9% growth in arrivals during this period, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers by 16%. The continent’s performance outpaced that of Europe (+2%), the Americas (+2%), and the Middle East (+1%), positioning Africa as one of the leading growth regions as tourism demand continues to rebound.
Over 300 million international overnight travellers were recorded globally from January to March 2025—an increase of 14 million compared to the same period last year. Despite ongoing pressures such as high inflation, geopolitical instability and trade tensions, demand remains resilient. International air travel rose 8% compared to Q1 2024, and global occupancy rates held steady at 64% in March. UN Tourism highlights the sector’s ongoing contribution to employment and economic recovery across regions, with Africa’s strong start reinforcing its growing role in global tourism trends.
Source: UN Tourism