Geopolitical tensions have boosted tourism in some countries and cooled it in others

It is evident that geopolitical tensions have boosted tourism in some countries while cooling it in others. The British website Geographical, the official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society, reported that while tourism rates declined in traditionally popular destinations, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco led the countries with the highest growth in international tourist arrivals between 2019 and 2025. Visitor numbers to the Kingdom rose by 67%, Morocco by 53%, and Egypt by 47%, bringing the total global international tourism traffic to approximately 1.52 billion tourists in 2025.

The report showed that several destinations recorded a sharp decline in tourist numbers compared to 2019 levels, due to a combination of factors including geopolitical tensions, rising travel and accommodation costs, and restrictions on air travel.

Saudi Arabia recorded the largest increase in international tourist arrivals among the countries tracked by the report, welcoming approximately 29.3 million international tourists in 2025. Geographical explained that Saudi Vision 2030 has driven massive investments in the tourism sector aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing reliance on oil, which has contributed to the development of hotels, facilities, and tourism infrastructure, as well as expanding the sector’s capacity.

It added that the availability of electronic tourist visas for citizens of approximately 63 countries, along with a transit visa allowing stays of up to 96 hours, has facilitated entry for visitors and encouraged more travelers to discover the Kingdom.

Morocco ranked among the top countries in tourist growth, setting a record by welcoming 17.4 million tourists in 2024.

International tourist arrivals to Egypt rose by 47% between 2019 and 2025, with the country welcoming approximately 19 million tourists in 2025, an increase of 21% compared to 2024.

The website quoted Hossam Al-Shaer, Chairman of the Council of the Union of Tourist Chambers, stating that this performance reflects Egypt’s ability to maintain stability in its tourism sector despite regional tensions. He noted that the country offers tourists high value for money compared to competing destinations, whether in beach or cultural tourism.

Brazil recorded a 46% increase in tourist numbers between 2019 and 2025, welcoming a record 9.3 million international tourists in 2025, a 37.1% year-on-year increase. Argentina was the largest source market for tourists to Brazil, with approximately 3.39 million visitors, followed by Chile with around 800,000 visitors.

The report noted that the expansion of international air routes contributed to supporting this growth, as the number of international flights to Brazil rose by 18% between January and November 2025 compared to the same period the previous year.

Meanwhile, Colombia recorded an increase of approximately 45% in tourist numbers between 2019 and 2025. The report attributed this growth primarily to improved air connectivity, as the country added approximately 68 new international routes via 28 airlines between August 2022 and August 2025, linking it to 29 countries.

On the other hand, data showed a decline in tourist numbers in several destinations compared to 2019 levels.

Thailand recorded a 17% decline, welcoming approximately 33 million international visitors in 2025, a 7.2% decrease from 2024. The report attributed part of this decline to a drop in Chinese tourist numbers, which fell from 11 million in 2019 to approximately 4.5 million in 2025, as well as safety concerns and rising travel costs.

Tourism flows to Thailand were also affected by flight disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, with European arrivals dropping by 14% during periods of escalation, while visitors from the Middle East fell by 55%.

Peru recorded a 22% decline compared to 2019, despite the tourism sector’s recovery since the end of the coronavirus pandemic. The report noted that political instability, strikes, protests, and road blockages remain key factors hindering tourism.

Argentina saw a 23% drop in tourist numbers, amid rising travel costs due to the strength of its local currency, prompting visitors from neighboring countries, including Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, to seek more affordable destinations.

Ireland recorded a 32% decline compared to 2019, with tourist numbers falling by approximately 6% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Rising costs for accommodation, dining, and holidays have weakened the country’s competitiveness against cheaper destinations, making it the second most expensive country in the European Union after Denmark.

Geographical noted that inbound tourism to the United States declined by 14% between 2019 and 2025, placing it among the world’s most significant declining destinations. It emphasized that the drop exceeded the decline recorded during the 2008 global economic recession.

It also highlighted a proposal by President Donald Trump’s administration requiring visitors from 42 visa-exempt countries, including the United Kingdom and several European nations, to provide access to their social media accounts from the past five years.

Furthermore, stricter immigration measures and rhetoric, including the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at airports, along with concerns about detention at borders and incidents of gun violence, have also contributed to influencing travelers’ decisions.