Global Travel and Tourism is Strong Except Economic Headwinds

Global Travel and Tourism is Strong since the latest research shows it is growing strong this year, Tourists will be spending more.

According to WTTC’s 2025 Economic Impact Research (EIR), international visitor spending is forecast to reach an historic in 2025, surpassing the previous high of $1.9TN in 2019.

This year, Travel & Tourism is expected to contribute an all-time high of $11.7TN to the global economy, accounting for 10.3% of global GDP.

But while the global picture in Travel & Tourism is strong, the recovery remains uneven. Whilst some countries and regions are producing record-breaking numbers, other large economies are plateauing.

Whilst there is some positive news for many economies around the world, in a number of major Travel & Tourism markets such as the U.S., China, and Germany, growth has slowed.

In the U.S., the world’s most powerful Travel & Tourism market, international visitor spend remained significantly below 2019 levels in 2024 and 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.

According to the global tourism body’s latest EIR data, in 2024, Travel & Tourism contributed 10% of the world’s economy to reach $10.9TN – an 8.5% increase on 2023, and 6% above the previous peak of 2019.

WTTC forecasts that by 2035, Travel & Tourism will inject $16.5TN into the global economy, accounting for 11.5% of global GDP.
That’s a decade-long growth rate of 3.5% annually, outpacing the wider economy’s 2.5%.

International spending is anticipated to reach $2.9TN, with a CAGR of 3.4%, and domestic spending will grow at a similar rate (3.3%), to reach $7.7TN.

In collaboration with Oxford Economics, WTTC produces reports annually on the economic and employment impact of Travel & Tourism for 185 economies.

Compiled by

World Travel News, Gorilla Trekking Uganda and Gorilla Trekking Rwanda