Europe captures one-third of global leisure travel spending

Europe captured approximately one-third of all global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Global leisure spending reached USD 6.15 trillion, representing 80.5% of total global travel expenditure. Europe accounted for USD 2 trillion of this total.

Southern European nations served as the primary drivers of this growth. France, Spain, Italy, and Türkiye remained top destinations due to strong international demand and robust connectivity. In 2025, leisure spending grew by 3.6% in France, 2.6% in Spain, and 2.2% in Italy.

The region is projected to outpace global growth in 2026. While the global average for leisure spending growth is forecast at 3.1%, Europe is expected to expand by 3.7%. Leading this projected increase will be Italy at 4.7%, followed by Spain at 4.3%, Türkiye at 4.1%, and France at 2.6%.