International travel spending to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025, an all-time h

International travel spending to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025, an all-time high

13-04-25

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has projected that global spending on international travel will reach an all-time high of $2.1 trillion in 2025, surpassing the previous peak of $1.9 trillion recorded in 2019. This $164 billion increase reflects the sector's sustained recovery from the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to WTTC's Economic Impact Research (EIR) 2025 report, the travel and tourism sector is expected to contribute $11.7 trillion to the global economy this year, accounting for 10.3% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition, 14 million new jobs are expected to be created in the sector, bringing the total number of jobs worldwide to 371 million, more than the entire population of the United States.

Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the WTTC, noted that despite current economic pressures, such as the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty, travellers are prioritising travel. ‘This is a vote of confidence in our industry and an indicator of its strength,’ Simpson said.

However, the report also notes that the recovery is not uniform across markets. While some countries and regions have reached record numbers, other major economies, such as the United States, China and Germany, are facing a slowdown in the growth of international spending. In contrast, destinations such as Saudi Arabia, which plans to invest $800 billion in tourism by 2030, are leading the sector's resurgence. European countries such as France and Spain continue to be leaders in the region, driven by strategic investments and their international appeal.

The report also looks back to 2024, when the sector reached $10.9 trillion and generated 357 million jobs. During that period, international spending grew by 12% to $1.87 trillion, while domestic spending reached $5.3 trillion, up 5.4%.

By 2035, the WTTC forecasts that the travel and tourism industry will reach a contribution of $16.5 trillion, equivalent to 11.5% of global GDP. It also expects international spending to rise to $2.9 trillion and more than 460 million jobs to be generated, accounting for one in eight jobs worldwide.

These projections reflect the resilience and importance of the travel and tourism sector in the global economy, underlining its crucial role in creating jobs and driving economic growth.

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