Global Tourism 2025: A Record-Breaking Economic

In 2025, the global travel and tourism sector reached a historic milestone by contributing an estimated USD 11.7 trillion to the world economy, equivalent to around 10.3 % of global GDP, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). This figure not only surpasses the pre-pandemic peak but also indicates continued strong growth in both international and domestic travel activity, reflecting high traveler confidence and ongoing demand for global mobility.

The sustained rise in sector revenue has reinforced tourism’s role as a major economic engine worldwide. Support industries such as hospitality, transportation, retail, and entertainment have all benefited from the increased travel demand, boosting employment and local business earnings. These economic contributions demonstrate the robust health of global tourism despite wider economic challenges.

As international travel resumes normal momentum, tourism continues to expand beyond leisure into business, cultural, and experience-based segments — driving revenue streams in multiple sectors and regions, and reaffirming travel as a key pillar of global economic activity.

International Visitor Spending and Travel Volume Trends

Another notable trend in 2025 is the rapid growth in international tourist spending and overall travel volume. Global research forecasts that international visitor spending will exceed USD 2.1 trillion — a new record level for the sector that pushes spending above the pre-pandemic peak. This reflects strong cross-border travel demand and increased consumer confidence in international mobility.

Alongside higher spending, global international traveler numbers reached over 1.5 billion people in 2025, according to UN Tourism estimates, representing an increase compared to the prior year and underlining a broad resurgence in global travel flows.

This combination of rising visitor spending and high travel volume has amplified tourism’s economic impact, benefitting host economies through increased demand for accommodations, dining, transportation, cultural experiences, and retail — which in turn supports local jobs and small businesses in destinations around the world.

Tourism Employment and Future Growth Outlook

Tourism’s role as a major global employer was further solidified in 2025. According to WTTC forecasting, the travel and tourism sector supported around 371 million jobs worldwide, accounting for a significant share of global employment — roughly one in every ten jobs across the globe. This increase represents approximately 14 million additional jobs compared with the previous year and underscores tourism’s importance for livelihoods and economic inclusion.

Looking ahead, long-term projections suggest that by 2035, tourism’s economic contribution could reach USD 16.5 trillion and support more than 460 million jobs, highlighting sustained expansion and deeper integration of travel with broader economic trends. Such growth points to continued investment and opportunity in sectors linked to tourism, including sustainable infrastructure, digital travel services, and experience-based tourism offerings.

This strong employment trajectory also offers resilience against economic uncertainty by providing job creation and income opportunities in developed and emerging markets alike, helping to elevate global economic stability in the years ahead.