- The new Economic Impact Research (EIR) of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts strong and sustained growth in global tourism despite the current economic uncertainties. According to estimates, by 2035, the Travel and Tourism industry will reach $16.5 trillion in global contribution to GDP – a percentage corresponding to 11.5% of the global economy.
This is an average annual growth rate of 3.5%, exceeding the overall growth rate of the global economy (2.5%) by one point. The sector’s contribution to employment will also be impressive, as it is projected to support more than 460 million jobs by 2035 – one in eight jobs worldwide.
At the same time, international tourism spending is expected to soar to $2.9 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%, while domestic spending will reach $7.7 trillion with a similar growth rate (3.3%).
Record for global tourism in 2025 – its contribution to GDP at $11.7T
2025 is expected to be a landmark year for global tourism, with its total contribution to the global economy reaching $11.7 trillion, 10.3% of global GDP – the highest ever recorded. According to the same research, tourism spending by international visitors will reach $2.1 trillion, surpassing the previous record of $1.9 trillion set in 2019.
Employment is expected to increase by 14 million jobs by 2025, reaching 371 million – more than the population of the United States. As WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson noted: “People continue to prioritize travel. This is a strong message of confidence in the sector and proof of its resilience.”
However, the recovery is not uniform across the world. While some countries and regions are recording impressive performances, others – major economies such as the United States, China and Germany – are experiencing a slowdown in their tourism growth.
Speed ??and investment determine tourism market performance
In particular, the United States, while remaining the world’s strongest tourism market, has yet to return to the levels of international receipts of 2019. In China, international tourism spending exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2024 but is expected to slow in 2025. In contrast, countries such as Saudi Arabia are making impressive progress, with a target of investing $800 billion in tourism by 2030.
In Europe, France and Spain are leading the recovery, attracting the largest number of visitors worldwide and investing strategically in sustainability and international visibility.
In 2024, global tourism also recorded an impressive performance, contributing $10.9 trillion. in global GDP (10%), up 8.5% from 2023 and 6% above the record of 2019. Jobs increased by 6.2%, reaching 357 million, while international tourism expenditure reached $1.87 trillion, and domestic expenditure reached $5.3 trillion.
Finally, the environmental dimension remains critical, as, according to the annual WTTC Social and Environmental Impact Survey, the sector’s emissions accounted for 6.5% of the global total in 2023 – reminding us of the need for further innovation and sustainable tourism development in the coming years.
European tourism
The new Economic Impact Survey by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) paints a bright future for European tourism, predicting spectacular growth for the sector by 2035. According to the data, the Travel & Tourism sector is expected to support more than 30 million jobs in the EU – 4.5 million more than today – representing one in seven jobs in the region.
At the same time, the contribution of the tourism sector to the European Union’s GDP is forecast to reach almost €2.3 trillion, corresponding to a share of almost 11%. The average annual growth of the sector is estimated at 1.8%, exceeding the overall growth rate of the EU economy (1.3%).
The sector’s footprint on public finances is also noteworthy, as its annual tax contribution is forecast to exceed €900 billion. Both international and domestic travel spending are expected to grow impressively, estimated at €730 billion and €1.2 trillion, respectively, over the next decade.
2025: A milestone year for tourism in the EU
2025 is shaping up to be a milestone year for European tourism. According to WTTC forecasts, the sector will add almost €1.9 trillion to the EU’s GDP, representing 10.5% of the total economy. Jobs will reach 26 million, corresponding to 12% of all jobs in the Union.
International tourism spending is estimated to increase by 11% year-on-year to €573 billion, while domestic spending is expected to reach €1.1 trillion, an increase of 1.6%.
2024 was a year of strong recovery for the EU tourism sector, with its total contribution reaching €1.8 trillion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by almost 6%. The number of jobs increased by 5% year-on-year, reaching 24.5 million. Domestic tourism expenditure reached €1 trillion, while international expenditure exceeded €515 billion.
Europe’s importance as a global tourism leader is cemented by hosting the WTTC World Summit in Rome in September 2025. An international event that highlights the EU’s strategic role in shaping the future of global tourism, with sustainability, connectivity, and international cooperation at the forefront.
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