The global travel and hospitality sectors are firmly rejecting worst-case forecasts, aligning instead behind an evidence-based narrative of operational endurance and future growth. Rather than adopting a reactive stance to ongoing geopolitical and economic friction, international organisations are actively building structural safeguards.
New research commissioned by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) warns that prolonged border delays linked to the rollout of Europe's new Entry/Exit System (EES) could put up to 41 million visitor arrivals and $45.4 billion in visitor spending at risk from four of Europe's most important source markets.
Global travel and tourism is forecast to continue outpacing wider economic growth in 2026, with the sector expected to contribute $12 trillion to the world economy, accounting for 9.9% of global GDP, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council.
The US remained the largest Travel & Tourism market in the world in 2025 but is losing market share according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest Economic Impact Research.
Travel & Tourism remained the fastest-growing sector in 2025, with WTTC data showing a record $11.6 trillion GDP contribution, 9.8% of the global economy, growing 4.1% and significantly outpacing global economic growth of 2.8%.
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) research shows Hong Kong, China can reclaim its status as a top destination for international travellers by investing in promotion and targeting key source markets, highlighting strategies for recovery and growth in the travel and tourism sector.
