Global international tourist arrivals expanded by 0.4 per cent during the first six months of 2026 as rising travel costs and geopolitical insecurity weighed on industry momentum, according to the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer.

Around 690 million tourists travelled internationally between January and June, marking an increase of roughly 3 million compared to the same period in 2025. Despite a 2 per cent rise in arrivals during the first quarter, global figures contracted by 1 per cent in the second quarter following a 3 per cent fall in April. The spring downturn was attributed to the early timing of Easter in March and the broader effects of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

International arrivals dipped by a further 3 per cent in June. This contraction was driven by a 6 per cent decline in Western Europe, where intense heatwaves discouraged travellers, and a 5 per cent drop in South-East Asia caused by weakened regional demand, elevated fares and flight disruptions through Middle Eastern airspace. Heavy weather also impacted Oceania, which recorded a 6 per cent drop in June following Typhoon Sinlaku in the second quarter.

Regional performance across the six-month period remained uneven. Africa recorded a 4 per cent increase in arrivals, Europe grew by 3 per cent, and the Americas saw a 2 per cent rise. Arrivals across Asia and the Pacific edged up by 1 per cent, though overall totals remained 11 per cent lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Within Asia, North-East Asia grew by 3 per cent, whereas South Asia dropped by 5 per cent and South-East Asia fell by 1 per cent compared to H1 2025. The Middle East registered the sharpest decline, falling 22 per cent due to direct exposure to regional hostilities.

Air traffic disruptions began easing in May and June following a ceasefire announcement, allowing select flight routes to reopen and triggering an uneven rebound in consumer confidence.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais said: “The latest data shows a sector absorbing real pressure and finding a way forward. Tourism has not stopped growing, but that growth is fragile. The Middle East situation has touched destinations far beyond the region itself and serves as a clear reminder that, in such a connected world, resilience needs to be built everywhere and not just when a crisis begins.”

UN Tourism has lowered its full-year 2026 growth forecast to between 1 per cent and 2 per cent, down from its initial January estimate of 3 per cent to 4 per cent. The organisation expects international travellers to continue prioritising domestic trips or shorter-haul journeys in pursuit of better value for money amidst sustained inflation.