New figures reveal that global tourism arrivals decreased by three per cent in June. The latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism indicates that Western Europe experienced a six per cent decline in arrivals during the same month, a drop partly attributed to successive heatwaves.
This summer, Europe saw record high temperatures, with World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stating in June that 150 million people were living under extreme heat across the continent.
Despite the June decline, global arrivals grew by 0.4 per cent year-on-year in the first six months of 2026, reaching an estimated 690 million international tourists. This growth occurred despite insecurity in the Middle East and elevated oil prices, though the Middle East itself saw a 22 per cent drop over this period.
UN Tourism predicts international tourist arrivals will grow between one and two per cent globally in 2026, dependent on geopolitical volatility, oil prices, and inflation. International travellers are expected to continue seeking value for money, potentially travelling closer to home or domestically due to elevated prices and uncertainty.