Global travel and tourism investment exceeds $1 trillion in 2025

Global investment in travel and tourism exceeded $1 trillion in 2025, marking an 8.5% year-on-year increase and the highest level since 2019, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The sector contributed a record $11.6 trillion to the global GDP in 2025.

Investment is heavily concentrated in four major markets: the United States, China, India, and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for nearly half of all global capital investment in the sector. Looking ahead, the WTTC predicts the industry will contribute $17.1 trillion to the global economy by 2036 and create nearly 89 million new jobs.

While the sector faces geopolitical uncertainty and economic challenges, long-term prospects remain strong. Regional trends indicate significant growth potential, with Indonesia expected to become one of the fastest-growing outbound tourism markets, and the Netherlands projected to see the highest capital investment growth in Europe. In Spain, the sector contributes over 15% to the national GDP.