Despite economic uncertainty, the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest research shows that global tourism is projected to grow strongly this year.
The WTTC’s 2025 Economic Impact Research (EIR) shows international visitor spending is forecast to reach a record $2.1 trillion in 2025, surpassing the previous high of $1.9 trillion in 2019.
This year, WTTC says tourism is expected to contribute an all-time high of $11.7 trillion to the global economy, accounting for 10.3% of worldwide GDP.
Jobs supported by the sector are expected to grow by 14 million in 2025, it says.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said “People are continuing to prioritise travel. That’s a powerful vote of confidence in our sector and a sign of its enduring strength.”
“But while tourism is strong, the recovery remains uneven. Whilst some regions are producing record-breaking numbers, other large economies are plateauing.”
Tourism markets such as the US, China, and Germany have slowed.
It says the US is not expected to fully recover this year.
In China, while international spending was above pre-pandemic levels last year, growth is expected to slow sharply in 2025.
In contrast, other key markets such as Saudi Arabia is setting new benchmarks.
WTTC forecasts that by 2035, tourism will inject $16.5 trillion into the global economy, accounting for 11.5% of global GDP.
That represents a decade-long growth rate of about 3.5% annually.
