- Europe records 3 pc increase in international tourist arrivals
- Moldova leads with 25 pc increase
- Greece and Ireland each see 15 pc increase
- Western Europe experiences 1 pc decline
- UN Tourism lowers global growth forecast to 1 to 2 pc
Europe has recorded a 3 pc increase in international tourist arrivals in the first half of 2026 welcoming around 350 million visitors according to the latest figures from UN Tourism. Moldova led the continent with a 25 pc increase in arrivals. Greece recorded a 15 pc increase in arrivals and tourism receipts while Ireland also saw a 15 pc increase in international visitors.
Southern Mediterranean and Central Eastern Europe both grew by 4 pc while Northern Europe maintained steady growth with a 3 pc increase. Western Europe experienced a 1 pc decline driven by extreme June heatwaves and a drop in long-haul traveller demand.
Globally tourism grew by just 0.4 pc in the first half of 2026 due to inflation higher costs and Middle East conflict impacts. UN Tourism lowered its full-year 2026 global growth prediction from 3 to 4 pc down to 1 to 2 pc.
