The global travel and tourism industry is projected to experience robust growth in 2025, with international visitor spending set to reach a record $2.1 trillion, according to new economic impact research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

This figure exceeds the pre-pandemic peak of $1.9 trillion in 2019 by $164 billion, highlighting a strong return in international demand despite economic uncertainties.

Key Highlights:

Total industry contribution to the global economy is expected to hit $11.7 trillion, or 10.3% of global GDP, marking a new all-time high.

Travel and tourism employment is forecast to reach 371 million jobs, up 14 million from last year and surpassing the population of the United States.

In 2024, the sector contributed $10.9 trillion (10% of global GDP), an 8.5% increase on 2023 and 6% above 2019 levels.

International visitor spending rose by 12% to $1.87 trillion in 2024, while domestic tourism grew by 5.4% to $5.3 trillion.

Uneven Recovery Across Regions

Despite these historic milestones, the recovery is not consistent across major markets:

United States: International visitor spend remains significantly below 2019 levels and is not expected to fully recover in 2025.

China: Although it exceeded pre-pandemic international spend in 2024, growth is forecast to slow considerably this year.

Germany is also experiencing a slowdown in momentum.

By contrast, Europe is thriving:

France and Spain, the world’s top two tourist destinations, are driving the continent’s resurgence with strong investment and enduring global appeal.

Saudi Arabia is setting a new pace, pledging $800 billion into the sector by 2030, positioning itself as a leader in transformation.

Looking Ahead to 2035

WTTC forecasts a decade of sustained expansion:

Global travel and tourism GDP is expected to reach $16.5 trillion by 2035, accounting for 11.5% of global GDP.

Sector employment is projected to grow to over 460 million jobs.

International visitor spending could soar to $2.9 trillion, while domestic spending may reach $7.7 trillion.

A Vote of Confidence

“People are continuing to prioritise travel. That’s a powerful vote of confidence in our sector and a sign of its enduring strength,” said WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson. “But while the global picture in travel and tourism is strong, the recovery remains uneven. Some countries are breaking records, others are stagnating.”

The data reflects a sector full of opportunity but in need of balanced, global strategies to ensure inclusive and sustained growth.