Moldova leads European tourism growth with 25% increase in arrivals

According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, international tourism in Europe grew by 3% in the first half of 2026, with approximately 350 million travelers visiting the continent. While growth was uneven—with Western Europe seeing a 1% decline due to extreme heat—the Mediterranean and Central/Eastern Europe regions saw a 4% increase.

Republic of Moldova emerged as the fastest-growing destination in Europe, recording a 25% surge in international arrivals. This growth is attributed to authentic cultural, gastronomic, and wine experiences. Following Moldova, Greece and Ireland both reported significant increases of 15%.

In Italy, the tourism sector shows a shift toward foreign visitors, who accounted for 61.6% of presences in the second quarter of 2026. There is also a notable rise in the extra-hotel sector, including short-term rentals, which saw a 5.6% increase in presences compared to the previous year.