Travel and tourism growth hit a record USD$11.6 trillion (around AUD$16.24 trillion) in 2025 with Asia Pacific leading the world and North America lagging behind other major markets.
The latest World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact research found the industry accounted for 9.8 per cent of the global economy in 2025, making travel and tourism growth the fastest among all sectors last year.
The data also showed travel and tourism growth created one in three new jobs globally, while 80 million more people travelled internationally in 2025.
Asia Pacific recorded the strongest regional performance with travel and tourism GDP rising 8.1 per cent in 2025 as reopening momentum, stronger demand and improved regional connectivity continued to drive travel and tourism growth.
Visitor spending in APAC rose 8.3 per cent year-on-year and sat one per cent above 2019 levels, reaching USD$573 billion (around AUD$802 billion) in 2025.
By comparison, North America posted growth of just one per cent (0.9% for the USA), reflecting a slower international visitor recovery and the realities of a more mature market.
The US remains the world’s largest travel and tourism market, but the WTTC says it is losing market share.
WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara said: “To avoid losing its leadership position, the US must invest in promoting its attractiveness, both in international markets and during the summer of football; change perception and position the US as a welcoming destination; and grow international visitor spend, encouraging stopovers and new experiences.”
The latest figures underline how policy settings, investment and international openness continue to shape the pace of travel and tourism growth across global markets.
Research partner Chase Travel’s CEO Jason Wynn said the numbers point to an industry reacceleration as travellers prioritise meaningful experiences and plan with intention.
“At the same time, the recovery remains uneven across markets with affordability and capacity constraints influencing where and how people choose to travel,” he said.
“In this environment, delivering seamless end-to-end journeys, expanding access and connectivity and investing in smarter, more flexible travel experiences will be critical.”
The uneven regional picture is one of the report’s most significant takeaways. While APAC is setting the pace for travel and tourism growth, the US slowdown shows even the world’s biggest market cannot rely on size alone to maintain momentum.
That has implications for destinations, airlines, travel advisors and suppliers alike. The report suggests that attracting international visitors increasingly depends on perception, access, product depth and the ability to convert transit and interest into longer stays and higher spend.
Guevara added: “Despite the global challenges of 2025, the travel and tourism sector had its best year ever, which demonstrates its resilience.”
“In a truly record-breaking year, this exceptional performance underscores not only its economic strength but its resilience and ability to outpace wider global growth.
“The scale of global travel is equally remarkable. With 1.54 billion international overnight arrivals this year – equivalent to 4.2 million people travelling every day – travel and tourism continues to connect the world at an extraordinary pace, surpassing both last year’s levels and pre-pandemic benchmarks.
“This is a defining moment. Governments around the world must recognise travel and tourism as a strategic priority and continue enabling policies that support growth, investment and connectivity,” she said.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Record travel and tourism growth is great news for the industry. Demand remains strong and travellers are still prioritising experiences, but agility, smarter distribution, better connectivity and an understanding of destination growth will drive long-term success.
