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The urge to travel

WTTC’s 2025 report reveals global Travel & Tourism is set to hit $11.7TN, with record international spending and job growth. Despite uneven recovery and staffing shortages, the sector shows strong long-term momentum driven by sustainable and slow travel trends.

The urge to travel

The urge to travel
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7 July 2025 12:27 PM IST

Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest research shows that global Travel & Tourism is projected to grow strongly this year, reaffirming its role as cornerstone to major world economies, as travellers are expected to spend more than ever before.

According to WTTC’s 2025 Economic Impact Research (EIR), international visitor spending is forecast to reach an historic $2.1TN in 2025, surpassing the previous high of $1.9TN in 2019 by $164BN.

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.

Jobs around the world supported by the sector are expected to grow by 14MN in 2025, to reach 371MN worldwide, more than the population of the U.S.

“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.

By contrast, other key markets such as Saudi Arabia, which will inject $800BN into the sector by 2030, is ahead of the curve and setting new benchmarks. European countries such as France and Spain, the world’s top two destinations in terms of visitor numbers, continue to lead the region’s resurgence, powered by smart investment and global appeal.

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%.

Jobs are expected to reach one in eight jobs, with more than 460MN.

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.

As life accelerates, Slow Travel—immersing oneself into a destination for an extended time as a local to fully experience the culture—is gaining popularity. Driven by a desire to build connections with others and their surroundings during their stay, Slow Travel encourages a leisurely approach, and many are elevating their exploration of this trend:

As many continue along this Slow Travel path, consumers are also craving immersive experiences with a conscience. In fact, 62% consider communications about a hotel’s sustainability programming to be important, and 73% agree it’s important to minimize their environmental impact while traveling.

The tourism industry is on a strong recovery path. According to UNWTO, international tourism reached 88% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, with 1.3 billion arrivals. A full recovery is expected by the end of 2025, driven by pent-up demand, improved air connectivity and a recovering Asian market.

That being said, the tourism industry’s post-pandemic comeback faces a significant obstacle: a critical shortage of workers. Many businesses will continue to struggle to meet the surge in demand due to a lack of qualified staff. – UNWTO

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