The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that international visitor spending will reach a record $2.1 trillion this year. This is $164 billion more than the previous peak in 2019.
The travel sector’s total global economic impact is expected to hit $11.7 trillion in 2025, making up 10.3% of the world’s GDP. The number of jobs supported by the industry is also set to grow by 14 million, reaching 371 million worldwide—more than the entire population of the United States.
Despite this overall growth, some major economies are experiencing slower momentum. The U.S., the largest travel and tourism market, still trails behind its 2019 international visitor spending levels. Meanwhile, China saw spending rise above pre-pandemic levels last year, but its growth is predicted to slow significantly in 2025.
