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International Tourist Arrivals Rise Five Per Cent in Q1 2025, Marks Strong Global Tourism Recovery

May 29,2025
Travel Trade Journal

International tourism continued its robust recovery in the first quarter of 2025, with over 300 million tourists traveling globally—a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This figure also surpasses the pre-pandemic level of 2019 by 3%, underscoring the resilience of the tourism sector amid ongoing global economic and geopolitical headwinds. According to the World Tourism Barometer, published by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in May 2025, the global tourism sector has demonstrated sustained growth despite inflationary pressures, trade tensions, and geopolitical uncertainties impacting travel demand. The sector remains a critical economic driver worldwide, supporting millions of jobs and businesses, particularly in developing economies. Asia and the Pacific: This region led global growth with a 12% increase in international arrivals, reaching 92% of 2019 levels. North-East Asia recorded the strongest rebound with a 23% increase. This surge is supported by the reopening of borders and the resurgence of key source markets like China, Japan, and South Korea, aligned with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) tourism framework.