Top 10 Countries with the Highest Growth in International Tourism: Countries with the Largest Increase in Visitors

In the wake of the pandemic, international tourism has recovered unevenly: some countries have significantly exceeded their 2019 figures, while others have yet to regain the tourist flows they lost. The strongest growth was recorded in the Middle East, North Africa, and South America. Learn more about the countries where the number of foreign tourists grew the fastest between 2019 and 2025

The Visit World travel guide is your key to safe and thoughtful travel, where no document or life hack will be overlooked

ORDER GUIDE

The pandemic significantly altered global tourism flows; however, by 2025, most popular destinations had returned to or exceeded their 2019 levels. The most notable growth occurred not in traditional European tourist destinations, but in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, and South American countries.

The Euronews editorial team compiled a ranking based on OECD statistics, comparing international tourist arrivals in 2019 and 2025. The figures reflect the percentage increase or decrease in tourist flows, not the absolute number of additional travelers. The data covers OECD countries and partner economies.

In our previous article, we wrote about 5 European countries that tourists are hardly visiting in 2026.

Discovering a new country for yourself without the help of travel agents or intermediaries is very simple. All you need is a checklist or a “Travel Guide” from Visit World – a step-by-step guide with all the key information for your trip.

The guide contains information on visa requirements, visa-free entry rules, permitted periods of stay and a list of required documents.

After completing the form, the guide will be sent to your email in PDF format in just a few minutes.

Choose a country and get your travel guide today.

How has international tourism changed between 2019 and 2026?

By 2025, international tourism in most of the countries studied had already exceeded pre-pandemic levels. According to the OECD, in 2024, OECD member states welcomed 819.5 million international tourists—8.1% more than the previous year. In 2025, the number of arrivals is projected to have grown by another 3.4%.

The recovery was uneven. The countries of the Middle East, North Africa, and South America showed the largest increases compared to 2019. Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Brazil, and Colombia saw tourist arrivals rise by 45–67%.

Europe has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels, but its growth rates were more modest. Only Norway, Serbia, and Denmark made it into the global top ten. At the same time, some countries in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the U.S., Canada, and certain European destinations, were still receiving fewer foreign tourists in 2025 than in 2019.

In our previous article, we revealed the secrets to a budget-friendly summer vacation in Norway: the best free spots.

Top 10 Countries with the Largest Increase in Tourists

Saudi Arabia topped the ranking: in 2025, the number of international tourist arrivals was 67% higher than in 2019. The gap between it and Morocco, which took second place, was 14 percentage points.

The full ranking is as follows:

1. Saudi Arabia – +67%. The highest growth rate among all 53 countries covered by the OECD report

2. Morocco – +53%. The best result among African countries in the study

3. Egypt – +47%. The country exceeded its 2019 figure by nearly half

4. Brazil – +46%. The largest increase in South America

5. Colombia – +45%. Only one percentage point separates the country from Brazil

6. Japan – +34%. The only Asian country in the top ten

7. Chile – +33%. The third South American country among the leaders

8. Norway – +28%. The best result in Europe

9. Serbia – +27%. Second among European countries

10. Denmark – +22%. Rounds out the ranking with growth of more than one-fifth

The top five countries increased their tourist arrivals by at least 45%. At the same time, six of the top seven positions were taken by countries in the Middle East, Africa, and South America, indicating a gradual shift in demand away from traditional European destinations.

In our previous article, we discussed where to go in Slovakia this summer: routes to castles, caves, and thermal springs.

Why did Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Egypt become the leaders?

The top three spots in the ranking were taken by countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Their growth is driven not only by recovery from the pandemic but also by large-scale investments, expanded air service, and government programs to develop tourism.

Saudi Arabia: New Visas and Major Investments?

The number of international tourists in Saudi Arabia rose from 17.5 million in 2019 to 29.3 million in 2025. At the same time, compared to the record-breaking year of 2024, the figure declined slightly—by approximately 2%.

This six-year growth was driven by the national Vision 2030 strategy, the development of new resorts and air routes, and simplified entry procedures. The KSA Visa unified platform provides access to electronic visas for citizens of more than 66 countries. After achieving the initial target ahead of schedule, the government raised the benchmark to 150 million domestic and international tourist trips per year by 2030.

Morocco: A record 19.8 million tourists

Morocco increased the number of international tourists from 12.9 million to 19.8 million, a 53% rise. In 2025 alone, tourist arrivals grew by 14%, and tourism revenue rose by 21% to 138.1 billion dirhams.

Most tourists came from France—29% of the total. Spain accounted for 23%, and the United Kingdom for 7%. New flight routes, hotel renovations, and the government’s 2023–2026 tourism roadmap played a key role. The country surpassed its 2026 target of 17.5 million visitors a year earlier.

Egypt: nearly 19 million international tourists

Egypt welcomed 18.9 million foreign tourists in 2025, compared to 12.9 million in 2019. The year-over-year increase was 20%, and compared to pre-pandemic levels, it was 47%.

Europe accounts for the main influx: in 2024, European countries accounted for 65% of international arrivals. This growth was driven by new flight routes, an increase in hotel capacity, and the promotion of not only beach and cultural tourism but also cruise, medical, eco, and adventure tourism. By 2031, Egypt plans to welcome 30 million foreign tourists annually.

In our previous article, we discussed the cheapest and most expensive European cities for a vacation in 2026.

How has tourism recovered in Europe?

European countries have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels, but only three of them made it into the top ten. Norway showed the best results: the number of international tourists rose from 5.9 million in 2019 to 7.5 million in 2025, an increase of 28%. In the last year alone, the increase was about 12%.

Among other European destinations, the trends were as follows:

- Serbia: from 1.85 million to 2.35 million tourists – +27%;

- Denmark: from 7.4 million to 9 million – +22%;

- Portugal: from 17.3 million to 20.8 million – +20%;

- Spain: from 83.5 million to 96.8 million – +16%;

- France: from 90.9 million to approximately 102 million – +12%;

- Greece: from 25 million to 27.9 million – +11%.

At the same time, not all popular destinations have fully recovered. In 2025, Germany welcomed 37.1 million international tourists—6% fewer than in 2019. In Italy, the number of arrivals remained 5% lower, although in 2025 alone it grew by 6% to reach 61.3 million.

Ireland recorded the worst result in Europe. The number of international tourists fell from 9.35 million in 2019 to 6.4 million in 2025—a 32% decline. This is the second-largest decline in the entire study, after Israel.

Learn more about the TOP 10 budget-friendly alternatives to the Maldives that will surprise even seasoned travelersby following the link.

Where did the number of international tourists decline the most?

The sharpest decline was recorded in Israel. In 2019, 4.55 million international tourists visited the country, while in 2025, the number was only 1.33 million. The decline amounted to 71% and was primarily due to the war and the deteriorating security situation. At the same time, compared to 2024, tourist arrivals have partially recovered—by 38%.

Other countries with the largest declines include:

- Ireland – −32%: from 9.35 million to 6.4 million tourists

- Argentina – −23%: from 7.4 million to 5.68 million

- Peru – −22%: from 4.37 million to 3.42 million

- Thailand – −17%: from 39.9 million to approximately 33 million

- Estonia – −16%: from 3.34 million to 2.8 million

- United States – −14%: from 79.4 million to 68.3 million

- Canada – −11%: from 22.1 million to 19.8 million

Other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, where border restrictions remained in place longer during the pandemic, also saw a slower recovery. New Zealand remained 9% below 2019 levels, Australia 6% below, and Indonesia 4% below.

At the same time, a six-year comparison does not always reflect the actual trends of the past year. For example, in 2025, the flow of visitors to Australia increased by 8%, to Indonesia by 11%, and to New Zealand by 6%, although these countries have not yet fully returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Are you planning a trip and want to prepare without unnecessary stress? Visit World's travel guide contains key tips for travelers: rules of entry and stay, current requirements for tourists, basic safety, transportation and accommodation. Such a guide will help you quickly navigate a new country, avoid common mistakes during your trip, and plan your route taking into account practical nuances that often go unnoticed by tourists.

We remind you! Popular tourist destinations can be a trap. We have already told you which 8 places in the world Fodor’s advises to avoid in 2026 due to overtourism, environmental risks and social tension – and what alternatives to choose instead.