The global tourism industry has experienced one of the most dramatic transformations in modern history. Between 2019 and 2025, international travel patterns shifted significantly as countries faced the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, economic uncertainty, changing consumer preferences and evolving visa policies. While many destinations have successfully recovered, others continue to record visitor numbers well below pre-pandemic levels.

A recent analysis by Visual Capitalist identifies the twenty countries that experienced the largest decline in international tourist arrivals during the period from 2019 to 2025. The rankings illustrate how different regions have been affected by a combination of security concerns, economic pressures, travel restrictions and structural changes in the tourism industry.

Israel tops the list as the country with the sharpest decline in international tourism. Ongoing regional security challenges have had a substantial impact on visitor confidence, leading to reduced leisure travel and cancellations across multiple tourism sectors. Hotels, tour operators and airlines have all experienced the consequences of declining international arrivals.

Ireland ranks second despite remaining one of Europe’s most attractive travel destinations. The country’s tourism sector has faced changing travel behaviour, rising accommodation costs and slower recovery from key international markets. Industry stakeholders continue to promote sustainable tourism while working to restore visitor growth.

Argentina occupies the third position. Economic instability, currency fluctuations and inflation have influenced travel demand, even though the country’s diverse landscapes and cultural attractions continue to attract international interest. Tourism operators have increasingly focused on regional visitors while adapting to changing global travel trends.

Peru follows closely, with its tourism industry still recovering from political uncertainty and disruptions that affected access to internationally recognised heritage destinations. Although iconic attractions continue to draw travellers, recovery has been slower than anticipated.

Thailand, traditionally among the world’s busiest tourist destinations, also appears on the list. While visitor numbers have improved compared to pandemic years, changes in travel patterns, airline capacity and shifting source markets have prevented a complete return to 2019 levels.

The United States, one of the world’s largest tourism markets, ranks sixth. Although domestic tourism remained strong, international arrivals have been influenced by changing visa procedures, higher travel costs and evolving global travel preferences. Industry experts expect continued recovery as international connectivity expands.

Canada has similarly experienced slower growth in inbound tourism. Border restrictions during the pandemic, combined with high travel expenses and reduced long-haul demand, contributed to lower visitor numbers compared to the pre-pandemic period.

New Zealand’s tourism industry faced unique challenges due to some of the world’s longest border closures during the pandemic. While the country’s natural attractions continue to appeal to international travellers, rebuilding airline capacity and visitor confidence has taken time.

Germany and Australia complete the top ten. Germany has seen gradual improvement, but international arrivals remain below earlier levels due to broader European travel trends and economic factors. Australia, meanwhile, continues rebuilding inbound tourism after extended travel restrictions and capacity constraints affected international travel.

Several other European nations, including Italy, Belgium, Finland, Austria, Czechia, Luxembourg, Estonia and Latvia, also feature in the rankings. Many of these countries depend heavily on international tourism and continue working to diversify visitor markets while investing in digital tourism services and sustainable travel initiatives.

Indonesia and South Korea represent Asia’s continued recovery challenges. Although both countries remain popular destinations, tourism authorities have intensified promotional campaigns to attract new international markets and encourage repeat visitors.

The findings demonstrate that tourism recovery has not been uniform across the world. Countries dependent on long-haul visitors generally experienced slower rebounds than destinations supported by strong regional travel. Airline connectivity, visa accessibility, geopolitical stability and exchange rates have all become increasingly important factors influencing traveller decisions.

Industry analysts also point to changing traveller expectations. Modern tourists increasingly prioritise safety, sustainability, flexible booking options, digital services and authentic local experiences. Destinations that successfully adapt to these preferences are expected to recover more quickly in the coming years.

The tourism sector remains a vital contributor to employment, foreign exchange earnings and economic development. Governments across affected countries continue investing in destination marketing, infrastructure upgrades, aviation partnerships and tourism innovation to accelerate recovery.

Although the rankings highlight significant declines compared with 2019, they do not necessarily indicate permanent loss of tourism potential. Many destinations are witnessing gradual improvements as global travel demand continues to strengthen. The pace of recovery will depend on economic stability, geopolitical developments, airline expansion and continued investment in visitor experiences.

As international travel enters a new era, the experiences of these twenty countries illustrate both the vulnerabilities and resilience of the global tourism industry. The years ahead are likely to reshape how destinations compete for visitors, with safety, sustainability and high-quality travel experiences becoming increasingly important in attracting the next generation of international tourists.