SINGAPORE, 9 October 2026: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts a 3.1% growth for the Travel & Tourism sector in Europe for 2026, surpassing last year's growth of 2.6%. This information was revealed during the WTTC's 26th Global Summit, held in Valletta, Malta from 7 to 9 October, attended by approximately 1,000 delegates, including over 200 executives and government officials in the travel industry.
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Despite geopolitical and economic uncertainties, global growth for Travel & Tourism is projected at 2.5% in 2026, still ahead of the overall global economic growth. Within Europe, international visitor spending is expected to rise by 5.8%, with leisure travel spending increasing by 3.1% and business travel spending expected to rise by 4.2%.
Travel & Tourism is a critical sector in Europe, underpinning about one in ten jobs and generating economic opportunities for various communities and businesses. Last year, the global travel sector contributed USD 11.6 trillion to the economy, accounting for 9.8% of the world's GDP and supporting 366 million jobs, equating to nearly one in every nine jobs globally.
WTTC's analysis underlines the need for governments to foster conditions that promote seamless travel, enhance connectivity, nurture talent, and support sustainable growth to fully leverage the potential of the Travel & Tourism industry in Europe. The actions taken today will significantly influence the region's ability to capture future opportunities.