The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has shared a promising forecast for the European Union’s travel and tourism industry. The WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research projects that by 2035, the industry will create an additional 4.5 million jobs, bringing total employment in the sector to more than 30 million.
This growth underscores the essential role that travel and tourism play in the EU’s economy. By 2035, the sector is expected to account for one in every seven jobs across the region, making it a key driver of economic activity. Travel and tourism are also projected to contribute nearly €2.3 trillion to the EU’s GDP, representing just under 11% of the total economic output. The industry is expected to grow at a rate of 1.8% annually, outpacing the broader EU economy, which is forecast to expand by 1.3% per year.
In terms of tax revenue, the sector is projected to generate over €900 billion annually for EU governments. International visitors are expected to spend €730 billion over the next decade, while domestic spending will exceed €1.2 trillion.
Julia Simpson, President & CEO of the WTTC, emphasized the resilience of the EU’s travel and tourism sector, which continues to drive job creation, innovation, and regional development. She also highlighted the opportunity to build a more sustainable and connected tourism sector in the next decade. Simpson praised the EU’s decision to appoint a commissioner dedicated to tourism, noting that this reflects the sector’s growing importance in supporting communities and boosting prosperity.
“To seize this opportunity, governments must support the sector with clear policies and investment,” she added. “Destination stewardship will be key to ensuring that growth benefits both people and the planet.”
Focus on 2025
Looking ahead to 2025, the travel and tourism sector is expected to contribute nearly €1.9 trillion to the EU’s GDP, or 10.5% of the economy. Employment in the sector is predicted to grow to nearly 26 million, representing 12% of all jobs in the EU. The increase in employment and economic contribution highlights the sector’s ongoing expansion.
International visitor spending for 2025 is expected to reach €573 billion, an 11% increase from the previous year. Domestic spending will also rise, projected to hit approximately €1.1 trillion, a 1.6% increase from the previous year.
A key event in Brussels was the appointment of Apostolos Tzitzikostas as the new European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport & Tourism. His appointment marks a major step for the EU, underscoring the vital role of tourism in economic development, innovation, and inclusivity. The WTTC welcomed the announcement of an upcoming Sustainable Tourism Strategy and expressed enthusiasm about working with Commissioner Tzitzikostas to shape policies for the future of the sector in the EU.
2025 Global Summit
This year is also significant for the WTTC, which will hold its Global Summit in Rome this September. The event will bring together global leaders in the industry to discuss innovation, investment, and resilience. The choice of Rome as the venue highlights the EU’s strategic importance to the global travel and tourism agenda, with the region taking the lead in sustainability, connectivity, and international cooperation.
Review of 2024
In 2024, the EU’s travel and tourism sector contributed nearly €1.8 trillion to the GDP, representing more than 10% of the region’s total economic output. This marked a 6% increase over 2019 levels. The sector’s employment also grew by nearly 5% from the previous year, accounting for one in nine jobs in the EU.
Domestic spending by visitors reached €1 trillion, while international spending rose to €515 billion.
The WTTC’s Economic Impact Research, conducted in partnership with Oxford Economics, highlights the long-term potential of the sector in driving job creation, investment, and prosperity across the EU. However, the WTTC’s annual Environmental Social Research revealed that the sector’s emissions accounted for 12.7% of the EU’s total emissions in 2023. This underscores the need for sustainable practices as the travel and tourism industry continues to grow.
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