WTTC reveals that international visitor spending and global job growth will soar in 2025.
Despite rising interest rates, geopolitical instability and post-pandemic drag in some major markets, the global travel and tourism sector appears to have found its second wind.
According to fresh data released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the industry is forecast to contribute a record US$11.7 trillion to the global economy this year—a new high equal to more than 10% of the total global GDP.
The figures are striking. International visitor spending is expected to exceed US$2.1 trillion, overtaking the pre-pandemic peak of 2019 by US$164 billion. Meanwhile, travel and tourism-related employment is set to rise by 14 million jobs, hitting 371 million worldwide — more than the entire population of the United States.
“People are continuing to prioritise travel,” said WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson. “That’s a powerful vote of confidence in our sector.”
But Simpson, who has steered the organisation through turbulent times, quickly noted the recovery’s uneven nature.
“Some countries and regions are producing record-breaking numbers,” she said. “Others, especially some of the world’s largest economies, are still struggling to regain momentum.”
In the United States — traditionally the most lucrative travel and tourism market — international visitor spending remains below 2019 and is unlikely to bounce back fully this year. China, while seeing a temporary uptick in outbound travel, is also forecast to slow considerably in 2025.
Elsewhere, however, the picture is more encouraging.
Currently pursuing a US$800 billion tourism agenda, Saudi Arabia is blazing ahead, setting new benchmarks across infrastructure, hospitality and destination appeal. France and Spain dominate Europe, combining substantial local investment with global drawing power.
According to the WTTC’s research, compiled in collaboration with Oxford Economics, the long-term view remains bullish. By 2035, the travel and tourism sector will be worth US$16.5 trillion, or 11.5% of the global economy. It’s also projected to support 460 million jobs, meaning one in every eight workers globally will be tied to the industry.
Looking back, 2024 was already a significant leap forward. The sector contributed US$10.9 trillion to the world economy—an 8.5% year-on-year rise and 6% above the 2019 pre-COVID benchmark. Employment climbed to 357 million, while international spending jumped 12% to reach US$1.87 trillion. Domestic tourism also rose, with US$5.3 trillion in spending.
Environmental sustainability remains a parallel concern. The WTTC’s latest Environmental & Social Research found that travel and tourism accounted for 6.5% of global emissions in 2023 — underscoring the industry’s growing responsibility in climate strategy.
The takeaway? Travel remains resilient — not despite global uncertainty but perhaps because of it. As the world changes, the instinct to explore it hasn’t wavered. It may be one of the few constants left.
