Global Travel Is Booming Again
Travel & tourism sector surges to $11.6T in 2025, drives job creation, and reshapes economic momentum worldwide, says a report by WTTC.
By SOH Edit Team
Travel & Tourism has firmly established itself as the world’s fastest-growing economic sector in 2025, significantly outperforming global economic growth. According to the latest Economic Impact Research (EIR) by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with Chase Travel, the sector delivered an unprecedented contribution of US$11.6 trillion, representing 9.8% of global GDP.
With a growth rate of 4.1%, the sector expanded nearly 50% faster than the global economy, which grew at 2.8%. This performance reinforces Travel & Tourism as a key engine of global economic expansion.
Global Mobility Reaches New Heights
The sector supported 366 million jobs globally in 2025—accounting for 10.9% of total employment and exceeding the population of the United States. Notably, one in every three new jobs created worldwide came from Travel & Tourism, underscoring its critical role in livelihoods and inclusive growth.
International travel surged to 1.54 billion overnight arrivals, translating to approximately 4.2 million people travelling daily. This milestone not only surpasses pre-pandemic levels but signals a renewed global appetite for travel and cross-border connectivity.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC.
Regional Outlook: Diverging Growth Trends
Growth patterns varied significantly across regions:
- Asia-Pacific emerged as the fastest-growing region, with 8.1% growth, reaching US$3.29 trillion, driven by reopening momentum, increased demand, and strong regional connectivity.
- North America, by contrast, recorded modest growth of 1.0%, totalling US$3.05 trillion, reflecting slower international recovery and mature market dynamics.
This divergence highlights the importance of policy frameworks, investment strategies, and openness in shaping regional growth trajectories.
Industry Perspective
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, highlighted: “This is a defining moment. Governments around the world must recognise Travel & Tourism as a strategic priority and continue enabling policies that support growth, investment, and connectivity.”
Jason Wynn, CEO of Chase Travel, said: “What we’re seeing today is not just sustained demand for Travel & Tourism, but a reacceleration, as travellers prioritise meaningful experiences and plan with greater intention. At the same time, the recovery remains uneven across markets, with affordability and capacity constraints influencing where and how people choose to travel.”
The Road Ahead
As recovery continues unevenly across regions, the focus now shifts to enabling sustainable growth through:
- Enhanced connectivity and infrastructure
- Seamless end-to-end travel experiences
- Policy support and strategic investment
- Greater accessibility for global travellers
WTTC and industry stakeholders remain committed to strengthening resilience and ensuring Travel & Tourism continues to drive inclusive and long-term economic growth.
