UN Tourism Cuts 2026 Global International Tourism Growth Forecast
UN Tourism published the latest World Tourism Barometer, cutting its 2026 forecast for global international tourist arrivals growth from 3-4% to 1-2%. In the first half of the year, international arrivals rose 0.4% year on year, with about 690 million cross-border trips; the first quarter grew 2% while the second quarter fell 1%. Affected by extreme weather events, geopolitical tensions and rising travel costs, global international arrivals fell 3% year on year in June. The report forecasts that, amid higher travel costs and uncertainty, international travellers may focus more on value for money and favour short-haul outbound or domestic trips. Secretary-General Sheikha Nasser Al Nuweisi sa…
Impact and considerations
The downgraded global growth forecast and June decline provide a macro reference for business and leisure travel demand planning, and suggest cost and uncertainty may push a larger share of trips toward short-haul and domestic travel.
Key points
- UN Tourism cut its 2026 forecast for global international tourist arrivals growth from 3-4% to 1-2%.
- In the first half of the year, international arrivals rose 0.4% year on year, with about 690 million cross-border trips.
- First-quarter international arrivals grew 2% year on year, while the second quarter fell 1%.
- Affected by extreme weather events, geopolitical tensions and rising travel costs, global international arrivals fell 3% year on year in June.
- The report forecasts that international travellers may focus more on value for money and favour short-haul outbound or domestic trips.
- UN Tourism Secretary-General Sheikha Nasser Al Nuweisi said the industry is actively seeking a way forward and must prepare for future challenges.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- 中国旅游新闻网
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 23 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Page published
- 23 Sept 2026, 19:42
- Last updated
- 23 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Original links
- China Tourism News：联合国旅游组织下调今年全球国际旅游增长预期-中国旅游新闻网Document (opens in a new tab)Primary source · zh · Published 23 Sept 2026, 08:00