Global international visitor spending is set to break all previous records this year – reaching an unprecedented $2.1 trillion, some $164bn more than its previous 2019 peak – according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The sector’s total global economic contribution is set to reach $11.7TN this year, 10.3% of global GDP, while jobs supported by the sector are expected to rise by 14 million, reaching 371 million worldwide, more than the entire population of the US, according to latest WTTC forecasts.
But while the sector is surging overall, momentum in some major economies is slowing, the Council said.
According to the research, the US, still the world’s largest Travel & Tourism market, continues to lag, with international visitor spend trailing 2019 levels. In China, while international spending was above pre-pandemic levels last year, growth is expected to slow sharply in 2025.
