Europe remains the world’s leading leisure travel destination, accounting for around $2 trillion, or one-third, of global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to new 2026 Economic Impact Research (EIR) data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel.
Global leisure travel
spending reached $6.15 trillion last year, rising 3.5% year-on-year and
representing 80.5% of total travel expenditure.
Europe captured the
largest share, highlighting its continued appeal as millions of travellers head
abroad during the summer holiday season.
Southern Europe
remains a key driver, with France, Spain, Italy and Türkiye among the world’s
most popular destinations, supported by strong international demand, diverse
markets, tourism infrastructure and connectivity.
Leisure spending in
2025 increased 3.6% in France, 2.6% in Spain and 2.2% in Italy.
The region is expected
to maintain its momentum in 2026, with leisure spending forecast to grow 3.7%,
ahead of the global average of 3.1%.
Italy is projected to lead growth at 4.7%, followed by Spain at 4.3%, Türkiye at 4.1% and France at 2.6%, reinforcing Southern Europe’s position as a global tourism powerhouse.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “With summer travel at its peak, Europe continues to set the pace for global leisure tourism, capturing one-third of all spending worldwide and demonstrating the strength, diversity and resilience of its tourism sector. Southern Europe remains the engine of this growth. Destinations such as Spain, Italy, France and Türkiye continue to attract strong international demand thanks to their unique visitor experiences, excellent connectivity and competitive tourism offerings.”
Guevara added: “With
millions of travellers currently holidaying across the continent, it is
essential that destinations continue investing in infrastructure, connectivity
and sustainable tourism management to support future growth and maintain their
global competitiveness. The outlook for 2026 shows Europe is well positioned to
continue leading global Travel & Tourism.” -TradeArabia News Service