Europe reigns: region captures one-third of global leisure travel spending

Europe remains the world’s leading destination for leisure travel, capturing one-third of all global leisure tourism spending in 2025, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The findings, released as part of WTTC’s 2026 Economic Impact Research (EIR) and sponsored by Chase Travel, show that global leisure travel spending reached US$6.15 trillion last year, an increase of 3.5 per cent compared with 2024.

Leisure travel represented 80.5 per cent of total global travel expenditure in 2025.

Europe alone attracted US$2 trillion in leisure spending – equivalent to roughly $1 of every $3 spent on leisure travel worldwide.

Southern Europe continues to play a major role in the region’s performance, with France, Spain, Italy and Türkiye among the world’s most sought-after summer destinations.

WTTC attributed their strength to sustained international demand, diverse source markets, strong air connectivity and well-established tourism offerings.

“With summer travel at its peak, Europe continues to set the pace for global leisure tourism, capturing one-third of all spending worldwide and demonstrating the strength, diversity and resilience of its tourism sector,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, in a press release.

“Southern Europe remains the engine of this growth. Destinations such as Spain, Italy, France and Türkiye continue to attract strong international demand thanks to their unique visitor experiences, excellent connectivity and competitive tourism offerings.”

The momentum extends beyond this year’s peak summer travel period.

In 2025, leisure spending in France increased by 3.6 per cent year over year, while Spain recorded growth of 2.6 per cent and Italy saw spending rise by 2.2 per cent.

Europe is expected to maintain its momentum in 2026, with leisure spending across the region forecast to expand by 3.7 per cent, ahead of the projected global growth rate of 3.1 per cent.

Italy is expected to lead the next phase of growth, with leisure spending projected to climb 4.7 per cent. Spain follows at 4.3 per cent, Türkiye at 4.1 per cent and France at 2.6 per cent.

According to WTTC, changing global travel patterns are also benefiting Southern European destinations as some demand is redirected from other regions, further strengthening the area's competitive position.

“With millions of travellers currently holidaying across the continent, it is essential that destinations continue investing in infrastructure, connectivity and sustainable tourism management to support future growth and maintain their global competitiveness. The outlook for 2026 shows Europe is well positioned to continue leading global Travel & Tourism,” Guevara said.

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