Discover the countries around the world where tourism is booming, and the nations losing out on visitors
By
In 2025, around 1.52 billion international tourists travelled worldwide. When a nation’s tourism is booming, it can provide a lifeline, helping to bolster jobs for residents and support economic growth. Many countries, such as Colombia, Brazil, and Egypt, have recently seen such an uptick.
But what happens when tourism begins to dwindle? From geopolitical tensions in countries such as Israel to rising costs in Ireland, many factors can deter visitors from arriving in the first place.
Enjoying this article? Check out our related reads…
Here, we look at the top five countries losing tourists and the top five countries gaining tourists between 2019 and 2025, in reverse order. These rankings were compiled from data obtained by the OECD.
Countries losing tourists
5) Thailand – 17 per cent decrease
In 2025, Thailand received almost 33 million international visitors, down around 7.2 per cent from 2024. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese tourism was significant in Thailand – around 11 million Chinese visitors came to Thailand in 2019 alone. In 2025, that number fell to just 4.5 million.
Perceptions of safety in the nation and rising travel costs have played a major role in deterring Chinese tourists. These costs have been felt by other international visitors as well, which matters since Thailand has long been known as an inexpensive destination.
Furthermore, conflict in the Middle East has disrupted many flights connecting Europe to Thailand. Government figures show European arrivals fell by 14 per cent during one period affected by Middle Eastern tensions, while arrivals from Middle Eastern countries fell by 55 per cent.
4) Peru – 22 per cent decrease
Peru’s tourism sector has recovered significantly since the pandemic, but international tourism remains below its peak.
One of the main issues is political instability: strikes, demonstrations and transport blockades disrupt tourist routes. For example, back in 2025, a dispute over bus concessions escalated into protests and the blocking of railway tracks. Around 1,400 tourists had to be evacuated, and approximately 900 were temporarily stranded in Machu Picchu Pueblo.
3) Argentina – 23 per cent decrease
In recent years, Argentina has experienced a drop in tourism.
One reason for the drop is the rising cost of visiting the country. As prices have risen due to the strengthening peso, visitors from neighbouring countries such as Brazil, Chile and Uruguay have looked elsewhere for more affordable holidays.
Simultaneously, the stronger currency in the nation has made travelling abroad more affordable for Argentinians – by August 2025, roughly two Argentinians were travelling abroad for every foreign visitor entering the country, according to government statistics reported by the Financial Times.
2) Ireland – 32 per cent decrease
At the end of 2025, Ireland experienced a drop in its tourist numbers by six per cent compared to 2024. Rising prices there – including high accommodation, restaurant and holiday costs – make competing, cheaper destinations more alluring for tourists instead. Ireland is the second-most expensive country in the EU, second to Denmark.
In addition, air access also played a part in falling numbers, amid the Dublin Airport passenger cap – a 32 million annual passenger limit originally enforced to manage local road traffic – which has since been suspended.
1) Israel – 71 per cent decrease
Due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, tourism to Israel has dropped significantly – the sharpest decline out of any country in the dataset. The war and wider regional security concerns have reduced tourism, as official travel warnings and disruption to international travel to Israel continue.
A notable mention to this list is the United States; ranking in tenth place, with a 14 per cent drop in tourists between 2019 and 2025.
As Geographical reported in May 2026, the recent drop in visitors is larger than that recorded in the global recession of 2008.
There are multiple reasons for the decline in US tourism. Firstly, practical barriers: a proposed $250 visa integrity fee for incoming visitors, spikes in jet fuel prices due to wars, and the defunding of Brand USA – the only American organisation that markets US tourism to international audiences. In addition, a Trump administration proposal last year would require visitors from 42 visa-free countries (including the UK and most of Europe) to provide five years’ worth of social media history in order to enter the country. The proposal has not yet been initiated, but some believe it already has.
Secondly, a vast swathe of rhetoric and measures has confused some travellers. The deployment of ICE agents – who aren’t trained in airport security – at airports, along with some of Trump’s policies, has made many reconsider whether to visit the US or not. As well as this, fears over detention at the border and gun violence remain real concerns for potential travellers.
Countries gaining tourists
5) Colombia – 45 per cent increase
The number of tourists visiting Colombia has grown by almost 50 per cent between 2019 and 2025. Several factors help to explain that rise; notably, air travel connectivity. Between August 2022 and August 2025, Colombia added 68 international routes across 28 airlines, connecting the country to 29 countries. This has made it easier for international travellers to visit the nation.
In addition, Colombia has also repositioned itself as a tourism destination by promoting its biodiversity, nature and culture to prospective travellers.
4) Brazil – 46 per cent increase
International arrivals to Brazil reached a record 9.3 million in 2025, up 37.1 per cent on 2024. Argentina was Brazil’s largest market in 2025, with around 3.39 million Argentinians visiting the country, followed by Chile (800,000).
Stronger air travel connectivity has also helped propel tourism in the country. Between January and November 2025, Brazil recorded almost 18 per cent more international flights than the same period in 2024.
3) Egypt – 47 per cent increase
In 2025, Egypt welcomed around 19 million tourists to the country, roughly 21 per cent more than in 2024.
According to the head of the Egyptian Tourism Federation, Hossam al-Shaer, one reason to explain this is the security and stability Egypt has maintained despite regional tensions. As well as this, al-Shaer adds that ‘tourists in Egypt get better value for their money compared to competing countries, whether for beach or cultural tourism.’
2) Morocco – 53 per cent increase
Morocco welcomed a record 17.4 million tourists in 2024. In 2023, the nation set out a goal to double its number of international visitors to 26 million by 2030 when it co-hosts the FIFA World Cup. To reach this goal, the country has had significant, direct foreign investment in its tourism and hospitality sector, exceeding $1billion annually.
1) Saudi Arabia – 67 per cent increase
Saudi Arabia recorded around 29.3 million international tourists in 2025.
The nation’s Vision 2030 plan – an economic and social reform blueprint – has poured investment into tourism, diversifying its economy away from sole reliance on oil. Investment has allowed hotels, visitor facilities and tourism infrastructure to develop and expand, attracting tourists to the nation.
In addition, Saudi Arabia’s tourist e-visa makes it easy for citizens of around 63 countries to visit, and a 96-hour stopover visa encourages transit passengers to see the nation.
