The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on the 17th lowered its 2026 forecast
for global international tourist arrivals to 1–2% growth from a prior 3–4%
range. Its World Tourism Barometer showed arrivals rose just 0.4% YoY in 1H to
about 690 mln, roughly 3 mln more than a year earlier. Arrivals were up 2% YoY
in Q1 but fell 1% in Q2; June was down 3% YoY. The UNWTO said Middle East
arrivals fell 22% YoY in 1H, directly affected by the regional conflict.
