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Successive heatwaves in Western Europe contributed to a global decrease in tourism arrivals in June, new figures have revealed.

According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, arrivals dropped by three per cent globally in June, with a six per cent decline in Western Europe in the same month. The decrease has been partly attributed to the extreme heat in some destinations through the month.

This summer saw temperatures reach record highs across the continent.

World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in June: “Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average. Right now 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling.”

In the first six months of the year, an estimated 690 million tourists travelled internationally, found the World Tourism Barometer.

Global arrivals also grew by 0.4 per cent year on year, despite insecurity in the Middle East and elevated oil prices.

Generally, the Middle East saw a 22 per cent drop over this period, with disruptions to air traffic gradually easing in May and June following the announcement of a ceasefire.

The World Tourism Barometer monitors short-term tourism trends to provide a global, up-to-date analysis on international tourism.

UN Tourism predicts that international tourist arrivals will grow between one and two per cent globally in 2026. This will depend on geopolitical volatility and its effect on oil prices and inflation.

“At the same time, international travellers are expected to continue to seek value for money and travel either closer to home or domestically, again in response to elevated prices and uncertainty,” said UN Tourism.

Some destinations in Oceania also saw a six per cent drop in June following the impact of Typhoon Sinlaku.

UN Tourism secretary-general Shaikha Al Nuwais said: “The latest data shows a sector absorbing real pressure and finding a way forward. Tourism has not stopped growing, but that growth is fragile.

“The Middle East situation has touched destinations far beyond the region itself and serves as a clear reminder that, in such a connected world, resilience needs to be built everywhere and not just when a crisis begins.”

Europe saw record air traffic this summer despite disruption caused by ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

An average of 35,959 daily flights – a year-on-year growth of 2.4 per cent – operated between 1 June and 31 August, according to new data from Eurocontrol, Europe’s air traffic management coordinator.

On 10 July, a new highest-ever network traffic peak was recorded with 37,640 flights.

Read more: Record Europe air passenger numbers reported despite Middle East conflict

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