Global travel is set to reach a new record number of travellers in 2026, despite cost-of-living pressures and conflict in the Middle East.
Countries worldwide are predicted to receive a record 1.57 billion international arrivals by the end of 2026, according to a new report by the World Travel Market and researchers at Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company.
Dave Goodger, EMEA managing director at Tourism Economics, said “travellers are more active in 2026 than ever before”.
“Leisure travel remains a key priority in consumer budgets, even as travellers are adapting how and where they visit in response to ongoing disruption and cost-of-living pressures,” he said. “The industry is on course for another record year.”
The report says growth is set to accelerate into 2027 and remain strong through 2032, as the industry recovers from crises in roughly half the time it took two decades ago.
Global international arrivals are expected to rise by eight per cent next year as disruption eases.
The report predicts the Middle East will see the largest increase in international arrivals, 43 per cent, in 2027, after a major drop amid this year’s conflict.
