WTTC: Tourism investment surpasses US$1 trillion as sector outpaces wider economy

Global investment in travel and tourism exceeded US$1 trillion in 2025, helping the sector contribute a record US$11.6 trillion to global GDP, according to new research released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

WTTC's latest Economic Impact Research (EIR): Global Trends Report, sponsored by Chase Travel as Lead Research Partner, found that travel and tourism investment grew 8.5 per cent year over year in 2025, with the sector continuing to outperform the wider global economy.

According to the report, sustained capital investment is driving job creation, destination development, connectivity and long-term economic growth across the industry.

The United States, China, India and Saudi Arabia accounted for nearly half of all global travel and tourism capital investment in 2025, contributing almost US$500 billion, the report says.

“Investment & growth go hand in hand”

WTTC said each country is expanding its investment pipeline through a combination of infrastructure development, supportive government policies and growing private-sector confidence.

China is continuing its push to become a global tourism powerhouse through successive Five-Year Plans, with its travel and tourism investment pipeline projected to reach US$402 billion by 2036.

India is also expanding connectivity, destination development programs and maintaining an open investment environment to support growth.

In the United States, major infrastructure investment, strong domestic demand and upcoming global events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, are expected to support continued expansion.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is advancing one of the world's fastest-growing tourism investment programs through its Vision 2030 strategy, backed by large-scale destination developments, investor-friendly reforms and significant public- and private-sector investment.

WTTC said the four markets demonstrate how long-term investment strategies can strengthen competitiveness, attract visitors and lay the foundation for future tourism growth.

"The message from this research is clear: investment and growth go hand in hand. The destinations and economies making long-term commitments to Travel & Tourism today are positioning themselves to capture tomorrow's jobs, visitor spending, and economic opportunities. Travel & Tourism has once again proven its resilience and its ability to outperform the wider economy. As governments and investors look for engines of sustainable growth, our sector continues to deliver returns through employment, infrastructure development, and prosperity for communities around the world," said Gloria Guevara, president & CEO of the WTTC, in a release.

Spain among standout success stories

The report also highlights countries where travel and tourism have become strategic economic priorities.

Spain emerged as one of Europe's leading performers, with travel and tourism contributing 15.3 per cent of national GDP, generating US$130 billion in international visitor spending and supporting one in every seven jobs.

WTTC attributed the country's performance to sustained government investment, including €3.4 billion in EU recovery funding for tourism sustainability, digitalization and infrastructure, along with policies aimed at diversifying tourism across seasons and destinations through the Spain Tourism Strategy 2030.

Other markets identified in the report include Indonesia, which is forecast to become one of the world's fastest-growing outbound travel markets; the Netherlands, expected to record Europe's strongest growth in travel and tourism capital investment; and Rwanda, which continues to establish itself as one of Africa's fastest-growing leisure tourism economies.

The report also points to Germany as home to Europe's largest travel and tourism sector, Malta for recording the fastest post-pandemic tourism recovery in the European Union, Singapore as one of the world's leading business travel destinations, and Thailand as one of Southeast Asia's strongest markets for visitor spending growth.

Long-term outlook remains strong

WTTC forecasts travel and tourism will contribute US$17.1 trillion to the global economy by 2036 while supporting almost 89 million additional jobs.

The organization said governments have an opportunity to build on the sector's momentum through policies that facilitate travel, encourage business confidence and position travel and tourism as a strategic economic driver.

Combined with continued infrastructure development, WTTC said these measures can help destinations attract more visitors, expand employment opportunities and generate sustainable economic growth.

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