International tourism has returned to its pre-COVID-19 level and is now entering a new phase of growth.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), an international organization representing the private travel and tourism sector, is offering a highly positive assessment of the industry’s outlook.
After several years marked by the pandemic, health restrictions, geopolitical tensions and economic disruptions, the organization says the sector has shown strong resilience and is expected to keep growing faster than the global economy in the years ahead.
According to the latest WTTC data, travel and tourism contributed $11.6 trillion to global GDP in 2025, representing 9.8% of the world economy, and supported 366 million jobs, or roughly one in nine jobs worldwide. In 2026, that contribution is expected to reach $12 trillion, accounting for 9.9% of global GDP, with 376 million jobs linked to…
