Travel and tourism investment tops $1trn as sector targets further growth

Global travel and tourism investment exceeded US$1 trillion in 2025, rising 8.5% year on year, as the sector contributed a record $11.6 trillion to global GDP, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest Economic Impact Research Global Trends Report.

The findings underline the role of investment, infrastructure, and government policy in supporting travel growth – developments with implications for business travel, international connectivity, and the insurance market.

The US, China, India, and Saudi Arabia accounted for almost half of global Travel & Tourism capital investment last year, contributing nearly $500 billion. Infrastructure programmes, destination development, and supportive investment policies are helping these markets expand their tourism capacity.

The US is benefiting from strong domestic demand, infrastructure investment, and major events including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is similarly driving rapid tourism investment through major destination projects and public and private sector funding.

Spain is highlighted as a success story, with travel and tourism contributing 15.3% of GDP and supporting one in seven jobs, backed up by government investment in sustainability, digitalisation, and infrastructure.

WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said: “The message from this research is clear: investment and growth go hand in hand.”

WTTC forecasts travel and tourism will contribute $17.1 trillion to the global economy by 2036 and support almost 89 million additional jobs, despite continuing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.