Travel & Tourism Growth Outpaces Global Economy in 2025: WTTC

by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 6:25 AM ET, Tue April 14, 2026

Travel & Tourism delivered a record-breaking performance in 2025, generating US$11.6 trillion in global GDP and growing nearly 50% faster than the overall economy, new figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) show.

According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), the sector accounted for 9.8% of the global economy. Growth reached 4.1%, compared with the global economy's 2.8%.

Travel & Tourism supported 366 million jobs worldwide in 2025, or 10.9% of total global employment, and accounted for one in three new jobs created.

“Despite the global challenges of 2025, the Travel & Tourism sector had its best year ever, which demonstrates its resilience,” Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said.

“This exceptional performance underscores not only its economic strength, but its resilience and ability to outpace wider global growth.

“The scale of global travel is equally remarkable. With 1.54 billion international overnight arrivals this year — equivalent to 4.2 million people travelling every day — Travel & Tourism continues to connect the world at an extraordinary pace, surpassing both last year’s levels and pre-pandemic benchmarks.

“This is a defining moment. Governments around the world must recognise Travel & Tourism as a strategic priority and continue enabling policies that support growth, investment, and connectivity.”

Asia-Pacific Leads, North America Lags

Asia-Pacific was the fastest-growing region in 2025, with Travel & Tourism GDP rising 8.1% to US$3.29 trillion. Growth was driven by continued reopening momentum, increased international demand and stronger regional connectivity.

North America, by comparison, saw growth of just 1.0%, with Travel & Tourism GDP reaching US$3.05 trillion. The slower pace reflects ongoing challenges in international visitor recovery.

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“What we’re seeing today is not just sustained demand for Travel & Tourism, but a reacceleration, as travellers prioritise meaningful experiences and plan with greater intention,” Jason Wynn, CEO of Chase Travel, said.

“At the same time, the recovery remains uneven across markets, with affordability and capacity constraints influencing where and how people choose to travel.

“In this environment, delivering seamless end-to-end journeys, expanding access and connectivity, and investing in smarter, more flexible travel experiences will be critical for Chase Travel and the industry at large.”

WTTC said it will continue working with governments and industry stakeholders to support recovery efforts and long-term growth, as Travel & Tourism cements its role as a driver of the global economy.