International tourism closed 2025 with a historic level of economic impact, contributing $11.7 trillion to global gross domestic product (GDP), a figure that exceeds both 2019 levels and those of the previous year, with year-on-year growth of 6.7%.
This data, released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), underlines the scale of the sector as one of the most relevant engines of the global economy, accounting for approximately 10.3% of worldwide GDP and consolidating tourism as a key pillar of economic recovery and expansion following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The positive performance of tourism activity in 2025 was driven by a sustained recovery in both international and domestic travel. More than 1.5 billion people travelled outside their countries of residence during the year, representing an increase of 80 million travellers compared with 2024 and an average of 219,000 international arrivals per day.
Tourism’s contribution to global employment was also significant: one in every three new jobs created worldwide in 2025 was linked to the sector, highlighting its capacity to foster direct and indirect employment opportunities in areas such as hospitality, transport, travel agencies and recreational activities.
Europe generated more than 5% growth
From a regional perspective, Europe stood out as one of the main drivers of growth, with tourism generating an economic impact of 2.9 trillion dollars, an increase of 5.1% compared with 2024, and contributing close to 10% of European GDP. This performance reaffirms the region’s position as a preferred destination for millions of travellers and underscores the importance of tourism for national economies across Europe.
At the national level, Spain recorded record figures in 2025, surpassing 96.5 million international visitors, which translated into a contribution of approximately 16% of Spanish GDP and the creation of more than 3.2 million tourism-related jobs. These results position Spain as one of the global leaders in tourism and confirm the resilience and competitiveness of its tourism industry.
France received 105 million visitors in 2025, according to WTTC estimates, well above the 68 million who visited the U.S. last year.
US facing decline in arrivals
However, growth was not uniform across all economies. The United States, for example, experienced a reduction in the economic impact derived from international visitors, with $19 billion less than the previous year.
Reuters reported that as foreign tourism in the U.S. dipped, the world’s third most visited country saw foreign tourists spend 7% less as arrivals from Canada, Mexico and Europe fell, according to WTTC estimates.
With many people, especially from younger generations, travelling more frequently, concerns including, U.S. anti-immigration policies, pushed tourists to European countries such as Spain and France, as well as Japan, said WTTC. Latin Americans, including Colombians and Mexicans, travelled less to the U.S., with Mexicans who still went to the U.S. making shorter trips.
However, spending by domestic tourists offset this. The U.S. is the world’s largest travel and tourism economy. Another bright spot is that WTTC also said that the US is not facing overtourism like those faced in some of the hotspots in Europe or Japan.
Challenges ahead
The global tourism industry is expected to grow 4.5% in 2026, again outpacing global economic growth, according to the WTTC.
Despite the progress achieved, the sector continues to face significant challenges. These include reducing friction in international travel, improving airport transit and visa processes, and consolidating sustainable practices that balance economic growth with environmental protection and the well-being of host communities. Addressing these priorities will be decisive in ensuring that tourism maintains its role as one of the main drivers of the global economy in the years ahead.
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