World travel on the rise. Photo: Shutterstock The World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) has released its latest Economic Impact Research, produced together with Oxford Economics. The study is one of the most authoritative datasets assessing the economic contribution of Travel & Tourism worldwide, has made it clear: Global Travel & Tourism is expected to continue growing faster than the wider world economy in 2026, with the sector forecast to contribute nearly $12 trillion to global GDP and support hundreds of millions of jobs worldwide.
WTTC data projects the global sector will grow by 3.2% in 2026, comfortably ahead of wider global economic growth, which is forecast at 2.4%.
According to the report, Travel & Tourism will account for 9.9% of global GDP next year while supporting around 376 million jobs worldwide, equivalent to one in every nine jobs globally.
WTTC also forecasts long-term expansion for the sector over the coming decade. By 2036, Travel & Tourism is expected to create almost 89 million new jobs globally, representing roughly one-third of all new jobs projected across the wider economy. During the same period, the sector’s GDP contribution is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 3.6%, 1.5 times faster than the wider global economy at 2.4%.
The report highlights continued investment in infrastructure, digital innovation, workforce development, sustainability, and cross-border connectivity as key drivers supporting future growth. WTTC also pointed to the growing role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in improving traveler experiences, streamlining operations, and helping companies address labor shortages.
In Europe, the sector is expected to play an even more important economic role as broader economic growth slows across the region. WTTC forecasts European Travel & Tourism GDP will expand by 3.6% in 2026, compared to overall European economic growth of just 1%.
International visitor spending across Europe is projected to rise by 7.1% next year, nearly double the expected global average of 3.7%. The report suggests many travelers are increasingly choosing destinations closer to home amid geopolitical uncertainty and continued disruption in several global regions.
Spain. Photo: Shutterstock
Southern European destinations continue to lead the continent’s tourism recovery, with Spain standing out as one of the world’s strongest high-value tourism markets. WTTC forecasts Spain’s Travel & Tourism sector will grow by 3.7% in 2026, while neighboring Italy is expected to slightly outperform with projected growth of 3.8%.
Spain generated €115.1 billion in international visitor spending during 2025, making it Europe’s leading destination for tourism revenue and the third-highest globally behind only the United States and China.
WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said the latest figures demonstrate the growing importance of tourism to national economies.
“Travel & Tourism continues to prove its resilience across Europe and remains one of the region’s most important economic growth engines at a time when wider economic expansion is slowing,” Guevara said.
She added that countries such as Spain, Italy, France, and Türkiye are benefiting from long-term investments in infrastructure, connectivity, and forward-looking tourism policies.
The report also emphasized the importance of seamless travel experiences in attracting higher-spending international visitors. Investments in biometric technology, digital identity systems, smarter visa processes, and improved regional cooperation were identified as major opportunities for destinations seeking to strengthen competitiveness.
WTTC said destinations capable of reducing friction across the travel journey are likely to see stronger visitor growth, longer stays, and higher spending in the years ahead.