UN Tourism recorded 307 million international arrivals in the first quarter, as disruption in the Middle East weighed on growth.
International tourism expanded during the opening months of 2026, but growth slowed sharply in March as conflict in the Middle East disrupted travel.
According to UN Tourism’s May 2026 World Tourism Barometer, approximately 307 million international tourist arrivals were recorded between January and March—around six million more than during the same period in 2025.
Growth reached 2.5% across January and February combined before easing to 0.4% in March. The agency identified the Middle East conflict as a factor behind the slowdown.
The results show that international travel continued to expand overall, while the experience differed considerably between regions.
Europe and Africa each recorded 4% growth in first-quarter arrivals. Asia and the Pacific grew by 3%, while the Americas posted a 2% increase. Arrivals in the Middle East fell by 14%, reflecting the disruption affecting the region.
Even within those regional totals, performance was uneven. Asia and the Pacific remained below its pre-pandemic arrival levels, reaching approximately 89% of the figure recorded in the first quarter of 2019.
In its assessment published on 2 June, UN Tourism warned that disrupted flights, higher fuel costs and uncertainty about air connections could influence both travel demand and destination choices. More expensive journeys could encourage some travellers to choose destinations closer to home.
The agency’s expert survey reflected those pressures. Almost two-thirds of respondents said the Middle East conflict was negatively affecting demand for their destination. However, some reported increased inbound tourism as travellers redirected their plans away from disrupted locations.
For destinations, that creates a complicated planning environment. A rise in global arrivals does not necessarily translate into stronger demand for every hotel, attraction or transport operator. Where people travel—and which routes remain available—can matter as much as the overall number of trips.
These figures describe the first quarter of 2026, rather than the full year. They capture a period in which international travel remained resilient, but its momentum weakened as conditions changed.
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