Global tourism has entered a decisive new phase, with international travel not only recovering from the shock of the pandemic but surpassing previous records. According to the January 2026 edition of the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals rose by 4 per cent in 2025, reaching an estimated 1.52 billion overnight visitors worldwide. This represents nearly 60 million more travellers than in 2024 and confirms 2025 as a record-breaking year in the post-pandemic era. At the heart of this resurgence lies Africa, which has emerged as one of the strongest-performing regions globally, recording an 8 per cent increase in international arrivals to 81 million visitors.
This rebound has taken place against a complex global backdrop marked by lingering inflationary pressures, geopolitical tensions and uneven economic growth. Yet demand for travel has remained resilient, underpinned by improved air connectivity, expanded visa facilitation and the steady return of long-haul travel, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. Within this global recovery, Africa’s performance stands out not as a marginal gain, but as evidence of the continent’s growing relevance in the international tourism economy.
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Africa’s 8 per cent growth in international tourist arrivals in 2025 made it the fastest-growing region worldwide, outperforming Europe’s 4 per cent growth, Asia and the Pacific’s 6 per cent increase, and the Americas’ more modest 1 per cent expansion. UN Tourism data show that Africa welcomed approximately 81.3 million international visitors in 2025, up from 75.4 million in 2024 and significantly above the 66.2 million recorded in 2023.
North Africa led this surge, posting an 11 per cent increase in arrivals and accounting for nearly 36 million visitors. Morocco, the continent’s largest tourism destination, recorded a 14 per cent rise in arrivals during 2025, coming close to the symbolic threshold of 20 million international visitors. Tunisia also delivered strong results, while Egypt, counted within the Middle East for UN Tourism regional reporting, saw arrivals rise by 20 per cent, reinforcing the broader strength of the Mediterranean and Red Sea tourism corridors.
Sub-Saharan Africa also contributed meaningfully to the continent’s performance, with arrivals rising by 5.5 per cent to around 45.6 million visitors. South Africa stood out with a 19 per cent increase in arrivals, while Ethiopia recorded 15 per cent growth and Seychelles 13 per cent. These figures underscore a recovery that is increasingly broad-based, extending beyond traditional North African beach and cultural destinations to include safari tourism, island destinations and business travel hubs.
Tourism Receipts and the Value Of Growth
Beyond visitor numbers, Africa’s tourism recovery is being reinforced by strong growth in spending. Globally, international tourism receipts are estimated at USD 1.9 trillion in 2025, a 5 per cent increase from 2024. Total export revenues from tourism, including passenger transport, reached an estimated USD 2.2 trillion, marking an all-time high.
African destinations featured prominently among those reporting rapid growth in tourism earnings. Morocco recorded a 19 per cent increase in tourism receipts in local currency terms, while Egypt saw revenues rise by 17 per cent and Mauritius by 10 per cent. This pattern reflects a broader global trend in which tourism earnings are growing faster than arrivals, driven by longer stays, higher-value travel experiences and the gradual normalisation of pricing following years of disruption.
For African economies, where tourism plays a critical role in foreign exchange earnings, employment and small business activity, this revenue growth is particularly significant. In many destinations, tourism receipts directly support balance-of-payments stability and provide fiscal space for infrastructure investment, skills development and environmental conservation.
Africa Within A Shifting Global Tourism Map
Africa’s strong showing in 2025 must be understood within the wider global redistribution of tourism growth. Europe remained the world’s largest destination region, welcoming 793 million international tourists, 6 per cent more than in 2019. Asia and the Pacific continued its gradual rebound, reaching 331 million arrivals, equivalent to 91 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, as outbound travel from major markets such as China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea gathered pace.
The Middle East maintained its exceptional trajectory, recording arrivals nearly 39 per cent above 2019 levels and approaching 100 million international visitors. Against this competitive landscape, Africa’s performance signals a rebalancing in global tourism flows, with the continent increasingly capturing pent-up demand for cultural authenticity, nature-based tourism and emerging urban experiences.
Improved air connectivity has played a crucial role in this shift. UN Tourism data indicate that global international air capacity and passenger traffic rose by 7 per cent through October 2025, while accommodation occupancy rates reached 66 per cent in November, matching 2024 levels. For Africa, expanded airline routes, new carriers and strategic investments in airport infrastructure have reduced long-standing access barriers and strengthened links with Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Confidence Tempered By Risk
Looking ahead, UN Tourism projects global international tourism growth of between 3 and 4 per cent in 2026, assuming continued recovery in Asia and the Pacific, easing tourism service inflation and a stable global economic environment. The UN Tourism Confidence Index assigns 2026 a score of 126 out of 200, signalling expectations of another strong year, albeit slightly less bullish than the assessment for 2025.
However, risks remain pronounced. Around half of the experts surveyed by UN Tourism identified economic pressures, high travel costs and geopolitical instability as the principal threats to tourism performance in 2026. Ongoing conflicts, trade tensions and climate-related disruptions could undermine traveller confidence, particularly for long-haul destinations.
For Africa, these uncertainties coexist with opportunity. The continent’s comparatively strong growth in 2025 demonstrates resilience, but sustaining momentum will depend on policy coherence, investment in safety and infrastructure, climate adaptation and the continued easing of visa regimes. Aligning tourism development with global sustainability frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and UN Tourism’s principles of responsible and inclusive tourism, will be essential to ensuring that growth translates into long-term economic and social benefits.
Africa’s 8 per cent rise in tourism arrivals in 2025 is more than a cyclical rebound; it reflects the continent’s deeper integration into the global tourism economy at a moment when travel demand has returned with renewed force. As global tourism reaches record highs, Africa is no longer merely recovering lost ground but carving out a more prominent position within a competitive and evolving marketplace.
If supported by consistent policy, strategic investment and regional cooperation, Africa’s tourism sector has the potential to remain a key driver of growth, employment and international engagement in the years ahead. In a world eager to travel again, the continent is increasingly being seen not as a peripheral destination, but as a central part of the global journey.
