UN Tourism : international tourism up 2% in first quarter 2026 amid growing uncertainty

According to the latest data from UN Tourism, some 307 million tourists traveled internationally in the first quarter of 2026, about 6 million more than the same period of 2025.

International tourism growth slows to 2% in Q1 2026 amid Middle East disruption

 

International tourism growth reached 2% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism. Despite geopolitical disruption in March, international tourism growth remained positive, with 307 million tourists travelling globally between January and March — approximately 6 million more than in the same period of 2025.

Bahamas and UN Tourism highlight innovation for resilient Caribbean tourism

 

UN Tourism, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation of The Bahamas, has highlighted a new generation of innovators advancing resilient tourism in the Caribbean through the Bahamas Sustainable Islands Challenge.

Tourism Sector Unites for Global Recipe of Change Initiative to Combat Food Waste and Promote Sustainability: What You Need To Know

 

On the International Day of Zero Waste, a ground-breaking initiative was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Tourism to tackle one of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges food waste. Dubbed the “Recipe of Change,” this program brings together some of the world’s largest tourism industry players to address food waste and its negative impacts on the environment, the economy, and society.

UN Tourism opens call for Best Tourism Villages 2026

 

UN Tourism has opened the call for applications for the Best Tourism Villages 2026 initiative, inviting Member States to submit up to eight candidate villages through their respective National Tourism Administrations.

UN Tourism launches Road Map for International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027

 

UN Tourism has launched a new Road Map as it begins preparations for the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism in 2027.

International tourist arrivals up 4% in 2025 reflecting strong global travel demand

 

International tourist arrivals increased by 4% in 2025, as most destinations worldwide recorded solid results. According to the first World Tourism Barometer of the year, an estimated 1.52 billion international tourists travelled globally in 2025, almost 60 million more than in 2024.

UN Tourism and International Baccalaureate join forces to expand tourism education in high schools

 

UN Tourism and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) have entered into a new partnership aimed at expanding access to tourism education at high school level and better preparing young people for careers in the sector.

UN Tourism and AWE release new guidelines to help tourism businesses strengthen accessibility and inclusion

 

UN Tourism, in cooperation with the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has introduced new Accessibility Guidelines for Tourism Businesses.

Global tourism grows 5% in first nine months of 2025, led by Africa and Europe

 

International tourism continued its steady recovery in 2025, with international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) up 5% in January–September compared with the same period in 2024 and 3% above pre-pandemic 2019.

UN Tourism welcomes G20 Leaders’ endorsement of tourism as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth

 

MADRID, SPAIN – UN Tourism has welcomed the strong emphasis placed on tourism in the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, released during the G20 Summit in South Africa, the first G20 Summit ever held on the African continent. The declaration outlines a comprehensive set of commitments that position tourism as a central pillar of inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven economic development.

UN Tourism expands its Affiliate Members network with 22 new organizations

 

UN Tourism has expanded its global Affiliate Members network with the admission of 22 new organizations representing a broad mix of tourism stakeholders. The new members include destination management organizations, private-sector companies, associations, NGOs, academic institutions and specialized tourism entities. Their admission reflects UN Tourism’s ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration across the global tourism ecosystem.

UN Tourism AI Challenge finalists spotlight innovation and responsibility in Riyadh

 

26TH UN TOURISM GENERAL ASSEMBLY – RIYADH – REPORT: UN Tourism AI Challenge took centre stage on Saturday, 8 November 2025, at the “UN Tourism Tech Adventure: Grand Finale of the UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Challenge”, held during the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

UN Tourism and USI highlight role of fashion in cultural tourism development

 

UN Tourism and Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) are expanding their collaboration to promote stronger links between the fashion and tourism sectors, presenting new ways destinations can benefit from fashion-driven cultural tourism. The two organisations co-hosted a hybrid workshop in Lugano on 24 October to share successful models and inspire policymakers and tourism professionals.

COP30 to spotlight tourism with dedicated Thematic Days in Belém

 Tourism will take center stage at COP30 in Belém, Brazil with two dedicated Tourism Thematic Days scheduled for 19–20 November 2025. Under the theme “Tourism Climate Action: For a Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient Future,” the initiative reflects the growing recognition of tourism as both a sector vulnerable to climate change and a key driver of climate solutions.

Saudi Arabia to host 26th UN Tourism General Assembly

 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly from November 7 to 11. The landmark session will focus on “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future” and also commemorate five decades of cooperation under the United Nations’ specialized agency for tourism.

UN Tourism launches online training on tourism for rural development

 

UN Tourism has launched two new online courses under its Tourism for Rural Development Programme, aimed at empowering communities and professionals engaged in rural tourism. The free courses, available in English and Spanish, focus on “Product Development and Marketing for Rural Areas” and “Design Thinking for Rural Tourism Development.”

UN Tourism, TUI Care Foundation and University of Cambridge launch “Tourism Food for Good” initiative

 

UN Tourism, the TUI Care Foundation and the Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development (CRSD) at the University of Cambridge have launched Tourism Food for Good, a global initiative designed to transform how food is sourced, managed and consumed within the tourism sector. The programme aims to address the environmental and social impacts of food waste while improving food security and strengthening local supply chains in tourism destinations.

UN Tourism marks World Tourism Day 2025 in Melaka, spotlighting sustainable transformation in global tourism

 

UN Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day 2025 in Melaka, Malaysia, under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” emphasizing the sector’s role in driving social progress, economic resilience, and environmental protection.

International tourism up 5% in first half of 2025 despite global challenges

 

According to UN Tourism, almost 690 million tourists travelled internationally between January and June 2025, about 33 million more than in the same period of 2024, though results were mixed among regions and subregions.