Record 1.57 Billion International Arrivals Forecast for Global Tourism in 2026

The World Travel Market (WTM) Global Travel Report, released around 4 November 2026, forecasts that international travel will hit an all-time high of 1.57 billion overnight arrivals this year, representing a 2 % increase over 2025. Total visitor nights across all travel types are projected to reach 23.9 billion. Europe is the standout performer, with arrivals expected to climb 5 %, well above the global average, as travellers opt for intra-regional trips — up 3 % worldwide — while long-haul travel declines 3 %. Rising oil prices and fuel costs are pushing airfares higher, dampening appetite for distant routes. The Middle East has been hit hardest, with a projected 40 % drop in international arrivals attributed to ongoing regional disruption and reduced Gulf hub capacity. Leisure travel remains a top consumer budget priority even as behaviour adapts. Looking ahead, the WTM forecasts global arrivals will grow by 8 % in 2027 as inter-regional travel rebounds, eventually reaching 2.2 billion arrivals by 2032. European leisure spending for 2026 is forecast at $2.05 trillion, underscoring the region's dominant role in global tourism economics.