The latest Economic Impact Research (EIR) shows that the sector contributed a record US$11.6 trillion to global GDP in 2025, representing 9.8% of the world economy. This marks a growth rate of 4.1%, compared with the global economic growth rate of 2.8%, highlighting Travel & Tourism as one of the strongest engines of global expansion.
Employment figures further underline the sector’s influence, with Travel & Tourism supporting approximately 366 million jobs worldwide in 2025—equivalent to 10.9% of total global employment. The sector also accounted for roughly one in every three new jobs created globally during the year, reinforcing its importance in sustaining livelihoods across regions.
The report describes the performance as evidence of a structural shift, where Travel & Tourism has moved beyond post-pandemic recovery into a sustained growth phase, shaping broader economic development trends.
Regional performance shows sharp global divide
The data also reveals significant regional disparities. The Asia-Pacific region led global growth, recording an 8.1% increase in Travel & Tourism GDP, reaching US$3.29 trillion. The growth was driven by strong intra-regional demand, reopening momentum, and improved connectivity across key markets.
By contrast, North America recorded much slower growth of just 1.0%, with its Travel & Tourism GDP reaching US$3.05 trillion. Analysts attribute the weaker performance to a more mature market structure and slower recovery in international visitor flows compared with other regions.
This divergence highlights the uneven nature of global tourism recovery, where policy frameworks, investment levels, and cross-border mobility continue to strongly influence outcomes.
Industry leaders highlight resilience and shifting travel behaviour
Speaking on the findings, WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara described 2025 as a record-breaking year for the sector, emphasising its resilience in the face of global economic challenges. She noted that 1.54 billion international overnight arrivals were recorded during the year, averaging about 4.2 million travellers per day—surpassing both pre-pandemic benchmarks and previous annual highs.
According to Guevara, the scale of global mobility reflects Travel & Tourism’s expanding role in connecting economies and communities, while also urging governments to treat the sector as a strategic economic priority.
From the industry perspective, Chase Travel CEO Jason Wynn noted a renewed acceleration in demand, with travellers increasingly prioritising meaningful experiences and more intentional planning. However, he also pointed to uneven recovery patterns, shaped by affordability pressures and capacity constraints across markets.
He stressed that improving seamless travel experiences, expanding access, and investing in flexible digital systems will be critical to sustaining long-term growth.
The report concludes that continued collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders will be essential to strengthening resilience and ensuring Travel & Tourism remains a key driver of inclusive global economic progress.