International tourist arrivals grew by 2% in the first quarter of 2026, despite disruptions caused by the crisis in the Middle East in March.
According to the latest data from UN Tourism, some 307 million tourists travelled internationally in the first quarter of 2026, about six million more than in the same period of 2025.
Experts predict that tourists will continue to seek value for money this year, but could also opt for destinations closer to home in response to elevated prices.
International tourism continues to show resilience
The Middle East conflict is expected to reduce growth in international arrivals by one to two percentage points below UN Tourism’s initial forecast of 3% to 4% for 2026, depending on the conflict’s duration and scope.
