International tourism continued to grow in the first quarter of 2026 despite geopolitical tensions and rising travel costs, with Asia-Pacific destinations maintaining positive momentum even as disruptions in the Middle East affected regional travel patterns.
According to data released by UN Tourism on 2 June 2026, international tourist arrivals reached 307 million during the first three months of the year, representing a 2% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The figure translates into approximately six million additional international travellers worldwide.
Growth was stronger at the beginning of the year, with international tourism expanding by 2.5% across January and February. However, performance slowed considerably in March, when growth eased to 0.4% following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
For Asia’s hospitality sector, the latest figures point to continued recovery and demand across several key markets, although the region faced challenges linked to disruptions at major Middle Eastern aviation hubs.
Asia and the Pacific recorded a 3% increase in international arrivals during the first quarter of 2026. While growth was lower than anticipated, the region remained one of the world's expanding tourism markets amid an increasingly uncertain operating environment.
The strongest performance in Asia-Pacific came from Oceania, where international arrivals rose 9% year-on-year. North-East Asia followed with a 5% increase. February delivered particularly robust results across the region, with arrivals growing by 9%, before moderating to 2% in March.
UN Tourism noted that disruptions affecting Middle Eastern air hubs contributed to a 27% decline in South Asia during the quarter. Despite ongoing progress, international arrivals across Asia remained 11% below pre-pandemic levels, reaching 89% of the volume recorded during the first quarter of 2019.
The report comes at a time when the global tourism industry is navigating the effects of geopolitical instability, rising transport costs and higher accommodation prices.
The conflict in the Middle East has had repercussions beyond the region itself, affecting airline operations, traveller confidence and tourism flows across multiple destinations. In addition to disruptions on flights to, from and within the Middle East, higher oil prices and jet fuel shortages in some markets have contributed to increased airfares and reduced flight capacity.
These conditions are influencing travel decisions worldwide, with some travellers opting for destinations closer to home while seeking better value for money.
Despite the challenges, several destinations across Asia reported strong tourism-related economic performance during the first quarter. Pakistan recorded a 60% increase in tourism receipts, while the Republic of Korea posted growth of 38%. Brunei also achieved a 22% increase in tourism receipts compared with the same period last year.
A number of Asia-Pacific destinations also ranked among the world's fastest-growing tourism markets. New Zealand reported a 45% increase in international arrivals, while Mongolia and Palau recorded growth of 39% and 37%, respectively. Uzbekistan also registered a 37% increase.
Across the global tourism landscape, Europe remained the largest destination region, welcoming more than 130 million international tourists during the quarter. Arrivals in Europe increased by 4%, supported by strong demand in Southern Mediterranean Europe, Northern Europe and Central Eastern Europe.
Africa also recorded a 4% increase in international arrivals, while the Americas grew by 2%, driven largely by an 18% increase in Central America.
The Middle East was the only region to experience a significant decline, with international arrivals falling 14% during the quarter. Several Gulf destinations recorded sharp decreases in visitor numbers, although Egypt achieved a 16% increase in arrivals.
For hotels and accommodation providers, occupancy levels remained relatively stable globally. Data cited by UN Tourism showed that worldwide occupancy reached 64% in March 2026, matching the level recorded a year earlier.
Asia Pacific was among the best-performing regions in terms of hotel occupancy, recording an average occupancy rate of 65%, equal to Europe and the Americas. Africa reported occupancy of 56%, while the Middle East recorded 48%.
The impact of the regional conflict was particularly visible in Middle Eastern hospitality markets, where occupancy declined from 75% in January to 48% in March.
Air travel data also reflected shifting travel patterns. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), international air traffic increased by 4% during the first quarter of 2026. While most regions recorded positive growth, Middle Eastern carriers experienced a 16% decline.
Passenger flows were increasingly redirected through other regions, benefiting airlines in Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe. International air capacity also expanded by 2% during the quarter, although capacity contracted in March due to significant reductions in the Middle East.
Looking ahead, tourism professionals remain cautiously optimistic despite ongoing uncertainty. UN Tourism’s Confidence Index, based on responses from 300 tourism experts worldwide, produced a score of 105 for the May-to-August 2026 period, indicating slightly positive expectations for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere summer season.
Industry experts identified the Middle East conflict, elevated transportation costs and accommodation prices as the principal challenges facing international tourism this year. Many also highlighted concerns about flight disruptions, reduced air capacity, volatile oil prices and potential jet fuel shortages.
Even amid these pressures, international tourism continued to expand during the first quarter of 2026, with Asia-Pacific destinations maintaining growth and hospitality markets across the region continuing their recovery trajectory.