Moldova, Greece, and Ireland, as tourist destinations in Europe, have seen a significant increase in tourist arrivals in the first half of 2026. According to the latest Global Tourism Barometer report, Europe, as one of the best tourist destinations, has experienced a 3 percent increase in tourist arrivals, while the world as a whole has only grown by 0.4 percent.
Tourism Growth in Europe
In total, about 350 million international tourists have traveled to Europe from the beginning of this year until the end of June. This growth has varied across different regions of Europe. In particular, the southern Mediterranean and central eastern Europe have seen the highest growth at 4 percent. While northern Europe experienced a 3 percent growth, tourist arrivals in western Europe faced a 1 percent decline. This decrease has been attributed to a heatwave in June and a drop in demand for long-distance travel in some destinations.
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Impact of Crises on Tourism
The situation in the Middle East has also had effects beyond the region, clearly indicating that in today's connected world, there is a need for resilience across the globe. The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili, noted that demand for tourism has shifted towards closer and more accessible destinations. While the Middle East faced a 22 percent decline in tourist arrivals, South Asia and Southeast Asia also experienced declines of 5 and 1 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, Moldova has recorded the highest growth in Europe with a 25 percent increase in tourist arrivals. Greece and Ireland, with a 15 percent increase, are also on the list of popular destinations. This increase reflects the growing appeal of these countries to international tourists.
On the other hand, globally, other destinations such as El Salvador, Paraguay, and Bhutan have seen remarkable growths of 37, 34, and 31 percent, respectively. However, forecasts for 2026 indicate a growth of 1 to 2 percent in tourist arrivals, which is a decrease from previous forecasts of 3 to 4 percent growth.
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