Travel and Tourism Statistics 2026
This page collects 55 figures on how people travel and what it costs them: international tourist arrivals, airport and airline passenger counts, arrivals and departures for the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia, visitor spending, travel insurance use, and mobile connectivity abroad through roaming and travel eSIMs. Sources include UN Tourism, IATA, Airports Council International World, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the National Travel and Tourism Office, Eurostat, the Office for National Statistics, Statistics Canada, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, WTTC, the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, Arch RoamRight, Ipsos, Ookla and BEREC. Most figures describe 2025 or 2026, and each one is labeled with the year it describes.
By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 8, 2026 · 55 numbers drawn from 23 publishers and reports
Short answer
About 1.52 billion international tourist trips were recorded in 2025, according to UN Tourism, and airports handled a record 9.8 billion passengers, according to ACI World. Growth then slowed: arrivals rose only 0.4% in the first half of 2026, and IATA reported global air demand down 0.5% in September 2026. U.S. travelers spent $5.56 billion on travel insurance in 2024 (USTIA), and travel eSIMs rose from 2.7% to 3.4% of measured roaming activity in the year to June 2026, according to Ookla.
Headline numbers
- 1.52 billionAn estimated 1.52 billion international tourist arrivals were recorded worldwide in 2025, almost 60 million more than in 2024, according to UN Tourism.UN Tourism
- 690 millionAbout 690 million tourists traveled internationally from January to June 2026, a rise of 0.4% and some 3 million more than a year earlier, according to UN Tourism.UN Tourism
- 9.8 billionAirports worldwide handled a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, according to ACI World's 2026 Annual World Airport Traffic Report.Airports Council International (ACI) World
- 0.5%Global air passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, was down 0.5% in September 2026 compared with September 2025, according to IATA.International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- 6,248,242The United States received 6,248,242 international visitors in July 2026, 0.1% fewer than in July 2025, according to NTTO.National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO)
- US$11.6 trillionTravel and tourism contributed a record $11.6 trillion to global GDP in 2025, 9.8% of the world economy, according to WTTC.World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
- $5.56 billionU.S. travelers spent $5.56 billion on travel insurance in 2024, according to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association's market study.U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA)
- 3.4%Travel eSIMs rose from 2.7% to 3.4% of all measured international roaming activity in the twelve months to June 2026, according to Ookla Speedtest data.Ookla
Reading the numbers
2025 was a record year for travel by most measures. UN Tourism counted 1.52 billion international tourist arrivals, up 4%, with Europe alone receiving 793 million. ACI World counted 9.8 billion airport passengers, with international traffic up 6.1%, and Eurostat recorded nearly 3.1 billion nights in EU tourist accommodation. WTTC estimates the sector contributed $11.6 trillion to the global economy, 9.8% of the total.
2026 has been flatter. UN Tourism put first-half arrivals at 690 million, up only 0.4%, and cut its full-year forecast to growth of 1% to 2%. The conflict in the Middle East drove most of the slowdown: arrivals there fell 22% in the first half and airport traffic fell 21%. IATA reported global passenger demand down 0.5% in September 2026 and halved its 2026 airline profit forecast, though it still expects just over 5.1 billion passengers this year.
Arrivals to the United States have been weak. NTTO counted 6.2 million international visitors in July 2026, down 0.1%, with overseas visitors down 7.0%, and air arrivals in the second quarter fell 6.1% despite 471,000 air travelers who came for the FIFA World Cup. Americans kept traveling abroad, with 11.8 million departures in July, up 2.3%. In the UK, ONS counted 99.9 million visits abroad by residents in 2025, and Spain remained the top destination.
Travelers are protecting trips and changing how they connect. USTIA puts U.S. travel insurance spending at $5.56 billion in 2024, 46% above 2019, and an Arch RoamRight survey found nearly 48% of travelers buy cover for every trip, while an Ipsos survey for Allianz Partners found 20% do not plan to buy any. On connectivity, Ookla data show travel eSIMs taking share from operator roaming, and BEREC reports that the average EEA price for data roaming outside Europe fell to 4.42 euros per GB in the third quarter of 2025.
International tourist arrivals and stays
- 1.
An estimated 1.52 billion international tourist arrivals were recorded worldwide in 2025, almost 60 million more than in 2024, according to UN Tourism.
UN Tourism, International tourist arrivals up 4% in 2025 reflecting strong travel demand around the world (Jan 2026)
Exact wording at the source
According to the first World Tourism Barometer of the year, an estimated 1.52 billion international tourists were recorded globally in 2025, almost 60 million more than in 2024.
- 2.
About 690 million tourists traveled internationally from January to June 2026, a rise of 0.4% and some 3 million more than a year earlier, according to UN Tourism.
UN Tourism, International tourism holds steady with 0.4% growth in first half of 2026 as Middle East conflict and rising costs weigh on momentum (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, an estimated 690 million tourists travelled internationally between January and June 2026, some 3 million more than the same period last year.
- 3.
International arrivals in the Middle East fell 22% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, according to UN Tourism.
UN Tourism, International tourism holds steady with 0.4% growth in first half of 2026 as Middle East conflict and rising costs weigh on momentum (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The Middle East saw a 22% drop over this period, as it was directly impacted by the conflict.
- 4.
Arrivals in Asia and the Pacific grew 1% in the first half of 2026 but were still 11% below 2019 levels, according to UN Tourism.
UN Tourism, International tourism holds steady with 0.4% growth in first half of 2026 as Middle East conflict and rising costs weigh on momentum (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Arrivals in Asia and the Pacific grew by 1% over this six-month period but remained 11% below 2019 levels as disruptions to air connectivity, higher air fares, and uncertainty affected intra-regional demand.
- 5.
UN Tourism expects international arrivals to grow by 1% to 2% in 2026, down from its January forecast of 3% to 4%.
UN Tourism, International tourism holds steady with 0.4% growth in first half of 2026 as Middle East conflict and rising costs weigh on momentum (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In view of the latest data and current geopolitical volatility, international tourist arrivals are now expected to grow by between 1% and 2% globally in 2026, compared to UN Tourism’s January forecast of 3% to 4%.
- 6.
Europe received 793 million international tourists in 2025, 4% more than in 2024 and 6% more than in 2019, according to UN Tourism.
UN Tourism, International tourist arrivals up 4% in 2025 reflecting strong travel demand around the world (Jan 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Europe , the world’s largest destination region, recorded 793 million international tourists in 2025, a 4% increase from 2024 and 6% more than in 2019.
- 7.
Guests spent nearly 3.1 billion nights in EU tourist accommodation in 2025, a record and 2.2% more than in 2024, according to Eurostat.
Eurostat, Another record year for EU tourism in 2025 (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
2025 was another record-setting year for EU tourism, with nearly 3.1 billion nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments across the EU.
- 8.
Nights spent by international guests in EU accommodation rose 3.4% in 2025, against 1.1% for domestic guests, according to Eurostat.
Eurostat, Another record year for EU tourism in 2025 (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Nights spent by international guests increased by 3.4% (+49.7 million), while nights spent by domestic guests increased by 1.1% (+16.7 million).
- 9.
EU tourist accommodation recorded 1,321 million overnight stays in the first half of 2026, up 1.7% on the first half of 2025, according to Eurostat.
Eurostat, EU tourism nights up by 1.7% in first half of 2026 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In the first half of 2026, there were 1 321 million overnight stays in tourist accommodations across the EU , a 1.7% increase compared with the first 6 months of 2025 (1 299 million).
- 10.
Foreign visitors accounted for 48.9% of all overnight stays in EU tourist accommodation in the first half of 2026, according to Eurostat.
Eurostat, EU tourism nights up by 1.7% in first half of 2026 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Foreign visitors (non-residents of the country, EU and non-EU) accounted for almost half (48.9%) of all overnight stays in the first half of 2026, with large differences among EU countries.
Chart
Nights spent in tourist accommodation, top four EU countries, 2025 (millions)
Nights by domestic and international guests in hotels, holiday homes and campsites; together 61.7% of the EU total.
- Spain514
- Italy477
- France472
- Germany442
Source: Eurostat, Another record year for EU tourism in 2025
Air passengers and airports
- 11.
Global air passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, was down 0.5% in September 2026 compared with September 2025, according to IATA.
International Air Transport Association (IATA), Air Passenger Demand Falls 0.5% in September (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 0.5% compared to September 2025.
- 12.
The global passenger load factor was 83.2% in September 2026, meaning about 83 of every 100 available seats were filled, according to IATA.
International Air Transport Association (IATA), Air Passenger Demand Falls 0.5% in September (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The load factor was 83.2% (-0.3 ppt compared to September 2025).
- 13.
IATA expects airlines to carry just over 5.1 billion passengers in 2026.
International Air Transport Association (IATA), Profits and Margins to Shrink in 2026, but Remain Positive (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Passenger numbers are expected to edge higher to just above 5.1 billion, which will also limit the per -passenger profit airlines collect.
- 14.
Airlines are expected to earn a net profit of just $4.50 per departing passenger in 2026, down from $9.10 in 2025, according to IATA.
International Air Transport Association (IATA), Profits and Margins to Shrink in 2026, but Remain Positive (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The net profit per departing passenger is likely to fall to just USD 4.5 in 2026, from USD 9.1 in 2025.
- 15.
Airports worldwide handled a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, according to ACI World's 2026 Annual World Airport Traffic Report.
Airports Council International (ACI) World, Global Airport Passenger Traffic Reaches Record 9.8 Billion in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Global airports carried a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, Airports Council International (ACI) World reported today, while air cargo volumes also reached an all-time high.
- 16.
International airport passenger traffic rose 6.1% in 2025, against 1.7% growth for domestic traffic, according to ACI World.
Airports Council International (ACI) World, Global Airport Passenger Traffic Reaches Record 9.8 Billion in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
International travel drove the growth, with passenger traffic up 6.1%, comfortably outpacing domestic growth of 1.7%.
- 17.
Airports handled about 4.7 billion passengers in the first half of 2026, only 0.6% more than a year earlier, according to ACI World.
Airports Council International (ACI) World, Global Airport Passenger Traffic Reaches Record 9.8 Billion in 2025 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Global passenger traffic reached approximately 4.7 billion in the first half of 2026, up just 0.6% on the same period last year, a marked slowdown from 2025’s pace.
- 18.
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson was the world's busiest airport in 2025 with 106.3 million passengers, despite a 1.6% decline, according to ACI World.
Airports Council International (ACI) World, World's Busiest Airports: Atlanta Holds, Asia Climbs (Jul 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) retained the No. 1 position with 106.3 million passengers in 2025, despite a year-on-year decline of 1.6%.
- 19.
U.S. airlines carried 87.5 million scheduled passengers in June 2026, domestic and international combined, according to BTS.
U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, June 2026 U.S. Airline Traffic Data Down 1.4% from the Same Month Last Year (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
U.S. airlines carried 87.5 million systemwide (domestic and international) scheduled service passengers in June 2026, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).
- 20.
Of those June 2026 passengers, 12 million flew internationally on U.S. airlines and 75.5 million flew domestically, according to BTS.
U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, June 2026 U.S. Airline Traffic Data Down 1.4% from the Same Month Last Year (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
BTS reported 75.5 million domestic passengers and 12 million international passengers on U.S. airlines flights in June, not adjusting for seasonality.
- 21.
Seasonally adjusted U.S. airline enplanements in June 2026 were 3.7% below the all-time high reached in June 2024, according to BTS.
U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, June 2026 U.S. Airline Traffic Data Down 1.4% from the Same Month Last Year (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Systemwide enplanements (80.1M) were down 3.7% from the all-time high of 83.2 million reached in June 2024.
Chart
Airport passenger traffic growth by region, 2025
Year-on-year change in airport passengers, 2025 versus 2024, from 2,817 airports.
- Africa9%
- Middle East6.5%
- Asia-Pacific5.1%
- Latin America and Caribbean4.5%
- Europe4.2%
- North America-0.7%
Source: Airports Council International (ACI) World, Global Airport Passenger Traffic Reaches Record 9.8 Billion in 2025
Arrivals and departures by country
- 22.
The United States received 6,248,242 international visitors in July 2026, 0.1% fewer than in July 2025, according to NTTO.
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), July 2026 Total International Travel Volume (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
resident international visitor volume to the United States of 6,248,242, decreased 0.1 percent compared to July 2025.
- 23.
Overseas visits to the United States, which exclude Canada and Mexico, fell 7.0% in July 2026 from a year earlier, according to NTTO.
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), July 2026 Total International Travel Volume (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Overseas visitation to the United States decreased 7.0 percent from July 2025, while Canadian visitation increased 7.6 percent and Mexican visitation increased 8.0 percent from a year earlier.
- 24.
U.S. citizens made 11,776,323 international departures in July 2026, up 2.3% on July 2025, according to NTTO.
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), July 2026 Total International Travel Volume (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
citizen international visitor departures from the United States of 11,776,323 increased 2.3 percent compared to July 2025.
- 25.
An estimated 471,000 air travelers visited the United States for the FIFA World Cup in the second quarter of 2026, according to NTTO's Survey of International Air Travelers.
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), 2026 Q2 Results: Survey of International Air Travelers (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
An estimated 471,000 air travelers visited the United States for the FIFA World Cup in the second quarter of 2026: 341,000 from Overseas, 38,000 from Canada, and 91,000 from Mexico.
- 26.
International air arrivals to the United States fell 6.1% in the second quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, with overseas arrivals down 8.0%, according to NTTO.
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), 2026 Q2 Results: Survey of International Air Travelers (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The number of international air visitors arriving into the United States decreased 6.1 percent from the second quarter of 2025: arrivals from Overseas decreased 8.0 percent
- 27.
International arrivals to Canada by air and automobile totaled 5.5 million in June 2026, up 3.6% from June 2025, according to Statistics Canada.
Statistics Canada, Leading indicator of international arrivals to Canada, June 2026 (Jul 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In June, the preliminary number of international arrivals to Canada (Canadian-resident return trips, combined with US -resident and overseas-resident arrivals) by air and automobile totalled 5.5 million, up 3.6% from the same month in 2025.
- 28.
Canadian residents made 1.7 million return trips from the United States in June 2026, up 3.2% and the third straight monthly increase, according to Statistics Canada.
Statistics Canada, Leading indicator of international arrivals to Canada, June 2026 (Jul 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In June, Canadian-resident return trips from the United States totalled 1.7 million, up 3.2% from the same month in 2025, marking the third consecutive month of year-over-year increase.
- 29.
Australia recorded 755,530 short-term visitor arrivals in August 2026, 0.3% more than a year earlier, according to the ABS.
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, August 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Short-term visitor arrivals: 755,530 – an increase of 0.3% on one year earlier.
- 30.
UK residents made an estimated 99.9 million visits abroad in 2025 and spent about £86.2 billion on them, according to ONS.
Office for National Statistics, Travel trends: 2025 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
UK residents made an estimated 99.9 million visits abroad in 2025 and spent an estimated £86.2 billion; of the total visits abroad in 2025, 95.5 million were by residents of GB, and £83.9 billion was spent by residents of GB.
- 31.
Spain was the most visited country by residents of Great Britain in 2025, with 19.1 million visits, ahead of France and Italy, according to ONS.
Office for National Statistics, Travel trends: 2025 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Spain was estimated to be the most visited country by residents of GB in 2025 (19.1 million visits), followed by France (9.1 million visits), and Italy (5.7 million visits).
Travel spending and the tourism economy
- 32.
International tourism receipts reached an estimated $1.9 trillion worldwide in 2025, up 5% from 2024, according to preliminary UN Tourism estimates.
UN Tourism, International tourist arrivals up 4% in 2025 reflecting strong travel demand around the world (Jan 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Monthly data show strong visitor spending throughout 2025, with preliminary estimates pointing at USD 1.9 trillion in international tourism receipts globally, a 5% increase from 2024.
- 33.
Travel and tourism contributed a record $11.6 trillion to global GDP in 2025, 9.8% of the world economy, according to WTTC.
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Travel & Tourism Sees Best Year Ever, Outpacing the Global Economy in 2025 (Apr 2026)
Exact wording at the source
According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR) , Travel & Tourism’s global GDP contribution reached a record US$11.6 trillion in 2025 , accounting for 9.8% of the global economy.
- 34.
WTTC forecasts global travel and tourism GDP will grow 3.2% in 2026, faster than the 2.4% forecast for the wider economy.
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Global Travel & Tourism Growth to Outpace Wider Economy by 1.5 Times Over the Next Decade (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR) forecasts the sector will grow 3.2% globally in 2026, ahead of wider global economic growth, forecast at 2.4%.
- 35.
Travel and tourism is expected to support 376 million jobs worldwide in 2026, about one in nine jobs, according to WTTC.
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Global Travel & Tourism Growth to Outpace Wider Economy by 1.5 Times Over the Next Decade (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Travel & Tourism is also expected to support 376 million jobs worldwide in 2026, representing one in nine jobs globally.
- 36.
International visitor spending in Europe is projected to grow 7.1% in 2026, against a global average of 3.7%, according to WTTC.
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Global Travel & Tourism Growth to Outpace Wider Economy by 1.5 Times Over the Next Decade (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
International visitor spending across Europe is projected to grow 7.1% in 2026, significantly ahead of the global average of 3.7%, as travellers increasingly choose destinations closer to home amid geopolitical uncertainty and disruption in other regions.
- 37.
International visitors spent more than $21.0 billion on travel to and within the United States in June 2026, up 2.3% from June 2025, according to NTTO.
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), June 2026 International Visitor Spending in the United States (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
International visitors spent more than $21.0 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of June, an increase of 2.3 percent compared to June 2025.
- 38.
Overseas visitors to the United States spent an average of $1,938 per trip in the second quarter of 2026, against $1,129 for Canadian visitors, according to NTTO.
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), 2026 Q2 Results: Survey of International Air Travelers (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The average international trip expenditure (per visitor/trip) in the United States was: $1,938 (Overseas), $1,129 (Canada), and $1,537 (Mexico).
- 39.
U.S. residents traveling overseas by air spent an average of $2,120 per trip outside the United States in the second quarter of 2026, according to NTTO.
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), 2026 Q2 Results: Survey of International Air Travelers (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The average U.S. resident trip expenditure (per traveler/trip) outside the United States was: $2,120 (Overseas), $1,273 (Canada), and $1,101 (Mexico).
Travel insurance use
- 40.
U.S. travelers spent $5.56 billion on travel insurance in 2024, according to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association's market study.
U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA), Market Research (2025)
Exact wording at the source
U.S. travelers spent $5.56 billion on travel insurance in 2024.
- 41.
U.S. travel insurance spending in 2024 was 46% higher than in 2019, when consumers spent $3.81 billion, according to USTIA.
U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA), Market Research (2025)
Exact wording at the source
This represents a 46% increase from 2019, when total consumer spend was $3.81 billion, and reflects a stabilized, post-pandemic baseline for the industry.
- 42.
Nearly 48% of travelers surveyed in 2026 said they buy travel insurance for every trip, according to the Arch RoamRight Travel Survey.
Arch RoamRight, Travel Insurance Is Becoming Part of the Travel Planning Process (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
According to the 2026 Arch RoamRight Travel Survey , nearly 48% of travelers now purchase travel insurance for every trip they take , reflecting a significant shift in traveler behavior.
- 43.
Medical emergencies were the top travel concern in the 2026 Arch RoamRight survey, named by 84% of respondents, ahead of losing money to a trip cancellation at 65.8%.
Arch RoamRight, Travel Insurance Is Becoming Part of the Travel Planning Process (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Medical emergencies (84%) Losing money due to trip cancellation (65.8%) Flight delays and cancellations (59%)
- 44.
20% of travelers surveyed in March and April 2026 did not plan to buy travel insurance and another 13% were undecided, according to an Ipsos survey for Allianz Partners.
Ipsos, Global Travel Resilience: Demand Holds Firm Amid Economic and Geopolitical Pressures (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
At the same time, a meaningful minority remains without coverage: 20% of travellers do not plan to purchase insurance, and a further 13% are undecided.
- 45.
42% of travelers buy travel insurance at the time they book, according to the 2026 Ipsos survey for Allianz Partners.
Ipsos, Global Travel Resilience: Demand Holds Firm Amid Economic and Geopolitical Pressures (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Insurance is often integrated early into the travel process, with 42% of travellers purchasing coverage at the time of booking.
- 46.
Among travelers who buy cover, 84% say a main reason is recovering costs from cancellations, according to the 2026 Ipsos survey for Allianz Partners.
Ipsos, Global Travel Resilience: Demand Holds Firm Amid Economic and Geopolitical Pressures (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Among those who choose to purchase coverage, motivations are consistent: 85% cite peace of mind and protection against unforeseen disruption, while 84% value the ability to recover costs from cancellations.
- 47.
77% of travelers surveyed in spring 2026 said they were concerned about rising travel costs, according to Ipsos for Allianz Partners.
Ipsos, Global Travel Resilience: Demand Holds Firm Amid Economic and Geopolitical Pressures (May 2026)
Exact wording at the source
While 77% of travellers express concern about rising travel costs, the intention to travel remains strong, underscoring the continued importance of vacations for wellbeing and personal renewal.
eSIMs, roaming and digital travel
- 48.
Travel eSIMs rose from 2.7% to 3.4% of all measured international roaming activity in the twelve months to June 2026, according to Ookla Speedtest data.
Ookla, The Travel eSIM Performance Penalty (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Measured activity from branded travel eSIMs grew at a strong double-digit rate in the twelve months to June 2026, substantially outpacing the 12% growth in total international roaming activity and lifting travel eSIMs from 2.7% to 3.4% of all measured roaming.
- 49.
On the same Japanese mobile network, travel eSIM latency ranged from 54 ms with local routing to 543 ms when traffic was routed through Madrid, according to Ookla.
Ookla, The Travel eSIM Performance Penalty (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
On the same Japanese network, median latency ranged from 54 ms with local routing to 543 ms when traffic was sent through Madrid, despite identical radio conditions.
- 50.
In the worst brand and destination pairings, travel eSIM latency was up to 30 times higher than for local users on the same network, according to Ookla's Q2 2026 data.
Ookla, The Travel eSIM Performance Penalty (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In the worst brand and destination pairings, latency was up to 30 times higher than for local mobile users on the same network.
- 51.
The average retail price European operators charged for data roaming outside the EEA fell to 4.42 euros per GB in the third quarter of 2025, from 5.05 euros in the second quarter, according to BEREC.
Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), 32nd BEREC International Roaming Benchmark Data and Monitoring Report (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Data roaming tariffs dropped, decreasing from 5.05 EUR per GB in Q2 2025 to 4.42 EUR per GB in Q3 2025.
- 52.
Data over non-terrestrial networks, such as in-flight and maritime connections, averaged 149.37 euros per GB in the third quarter of 2025, according to BEREC.
Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), 32nd BEREC International Roaming Benchmark Data and Monitoring Report (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Data prices, measured in EUR per GB, varied from 166.68 EUR per GB in Q4 2024 to 149.37 EUR per GB i n Q3 2025.
- 53.
49% of air passengers surveyed in 2026 had used AI for travel planning, according to IATA's Global Passenger Survey.
International Air Transport Association (IATA), IATA's 2026 Global Passenger Survey: Travelers Embrace Biometrics and AI but Entry Requirements Remain a Barrier (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The GPS shows that almost half (49%) of travelers have used AI for travel planning.
- 54.
58% of passengers used biometrics at some point while passing through an airport in the past 12 months, up from 50% in 2025, according to IATA's 2026 Global Passenger Survey.
International Air Transport Association (IATA), IATA's 2026 Global Passenger Survey: Travelers Embrace Biometrics and AI but Entry Requirements Remain a Barrier (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Over half of passengers (58%) report having experienced biometrics at some point in their airport journey in the past 12 months, up from 50% in 2025.
- 55.
Immigration requirements had discouraged 43% of passengers from visiting a destination in 2026, up from 33% in 2025, according to IATA's Global Passenger Survey.
International Air Transport Association (IATA), IATA's 2026 Global Passenger Survey: Travelers Embrace Biometrics and AI but Entry Requirements Remain a Barrier (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Immigration requirements have discouraged 43% of passengers from visiting a destination, up from 33% in 2025.
Chart
Average EEA retail price for data roaming outside the EEA (euros per GB)
Rest of World roaming, EEA average retail price excluding VAT, from about 150 operators.
- Q4 20245.12
- Q1 20255.47
- Q2 20255.05
- Q3 20254.42
Source: Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), 32nd BEREC International Roaming Benchmark Data and Monitoring Report
Questions readers ask
- How many international tourists traveled in 2025?
- UN Tourism estimates 1.52 billion international tourist arrivals in 2025, up 4% from 2024 and almost 60 million more. Europe received 793 million of them.
- Is international travel still growing in 2026?
- Only slightly. UN Tourism counted 690 million arrivals in the first half of 2026, up 0.4%, and now expects 1% to 2% growth for the year. IATA reported global air passenger demand down 0.5% in September 2026, mainly because of the Middle East conflict.
- How many people fly each year?
- IATA expects airlines to carry just over 5.1 billion passengers in 2026. ACI World counted 9.8 billion airport passengers in 2025, a higher number because each trip is counted at both the departure and arrival airport.
- How many travelers buy travel insurance?
- It depends on the survey. The 2026 Arch RoamRight Travel Survey found nearly 48% of travelers insure every trip, while an Ipsos survey for Allianz Partners found 20% did not plan to buy cover and 13% were undecided. U.S. travelers spent $5.56 billion on travel insurance in 2024, according to USTIA.
- Are travel eSIMs replacing roaming?
- They are growing but still small. Ookla data show travel eSIMs rose from 2.7% to 3.4% of measured roaming activity in the year to June 2026, while total roaming grew 12%. Performance varies: on one Japanese network, latency ranged from 54 ms to 543 ms depending on how the eSIM routed traffic.
- How many international visitors come to the United States?
- NTTO counted 6,248,242 international visitors in July 2026, 0.1% fewer than a year earlier, with overseas visitors down 7.0%. International visitors spent more than $21.0 billion in the United States in June 2026.
Where these numbers come from
We chose figures from the organizations that collect the data: UN Tourism and national statistics offices for arrivals, IATA, ACI World and BTS for air traffic, NTTO for U.S. travel volume and spending, WTTC for the tourism economy, USTIA and insurer-commissioned surveys for travel insurance, and Ookla and BEREC for mobile connectivity abroad. Definitions differ: arrivals count trips rather than people, ACI counts passengers at each airport while IATA counts airline passengers, and WTTC's economic figures include domestic travel. The travel insurance surveys were run for insurers and cover different countries and samples, so their percentages are not directly comparable. Ookla's eSIM figures come from Speedtest measurements on Android devices and describe measured activity, not the number of travelers. Money figures are nominal, in the currency of the source. Each quote was checked against the source page on the update date. We store the sentence each number appears in, and a script loads the publisher's page again to make sure that sentence is still there. Our methodology has the details.
Sources
- Airports Council International (ACI) World. Global Airport Passenger Traffic Reaches Record 9.8 Billion in 2025 (Sep 2026).
- Airports Council International (ACI) World. World's Busiest Airports: Atlanta Holds, Asia Climbs (Jul 2026).
- Arch RoamRight. Travel Insurance Is Becoming Part of the Travel Planning Process (Jun 2026).
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, August 2026 (Oct 2026).
- Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). 32nd BEREC International Roaming Benchmark Data and Monitoring Report (Mar 2026).
- Eurostat. Another record year for EU tourism in 2025 (Mar 2026).
- Eurostat. EU tourism nights up by 1.7% in first half of 2026 (Sep 2026).
- International Air Transport Association (IATA). Air Passenger Demand Falls 0.5% in September (Oct 2026).
- International Air Transport Association (IATA). Profits and Margins to Shrink in 2026, but Remain Positive (Jun 2026).
- International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA's 2026 Global Passenger Survey: Travelers Embrace Biometrics and AI but Entry Requirements Remain a Barrier (Oct 2026).
- Ipsos. Global Travel Resilience: Demand Holds Firm Amid Economic and Geopolitical Pressures (May 2026).
- National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). July 2026 Total International Travel Volume (Oct 2026).
- National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). 2026 Q2 Results: Survey of International Air Travelers (Sep 2026).
- National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). June 2026 International Visitor Spending in the United States (Sep 2026).
- Office for National Statistics. Travel trends: 2025 (Oct 2026).
- Ookla. The Travel eSIM Performance Penalty (Aug 2026).
- Statistics Canada. Leading indicator of international arrivals to Canada, June 2026 (Jul 2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. June 2026 U.S. Airline Traffic Data Down 1.4% from the Same Month Last Year (Sep 2026).
- U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA). Market Research (2025).
- UN Tourism. International tourist arrivals up 4% in 2025 reflecting strong travel demand around the world (Jan 2026).
- UN Tourism. International tourism holds steady with 0.4% growth in first half of 2026 as Middle East conflict and rising costs weigh on momentum (Sep 2026).
- World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Travel & Tourism Sees Best Year Ever, Outpacing the Global Economy in 2025 (Apr 2026).
- World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Global Travel & Tourism Growth to Outpace Wider Economy by 1.5 Times Over the Next Decade (May 2026).
Citing this page
Link to this page or to a single numbered figure. If you reuse a number, name the organization that released it in the first place.
HearSmart. (2026, November 8). Travel and Tourism Statistics 2026. https://hearsmart.org/travel-statistics
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