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Add to Preferred SourcesEurope has cemented its status as the world’s leading leisure travel destination, capturing one-third of all global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to new 2026 EIR data released in a press release by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel as Lead Research Partner. The findings, published on 17 August 2026, coincide with the peak summer holiday season, when millions of travellers head abroad. Southern European countries emerged as the strongest performers, drawing sustained international demand. The report highlights the enduring competitiveness of the region’s tourism sector. It also outlines a positive outlook for continued growth into 2026.
Global leisure travel spending reached $6.15TN in 2025, marking a 3.5% year-on-year increase and accounting for 80.5% of total global travel expenditure. Of this total, Europe attracted $2TN, equivalent to $1 in every $3 spent worldwide on leisure travel. France, Spain, Italy and Türkiye remain among the most sought-after summer destinations globally. Their appeal is supported by strong international demand, diverse source markets, world-class tourism offerings and robust connectivity. The data underscores Southern Europe’s central role in the sector’s performance.
Leisure spending growth remained resilient across key destinations in 2025. France expanded by 3.6%, Spain by 2.6% and Italy by 2.2%. The performance reflects both seasonal demand and longer-term competitiveness across the continent. Southern European destinations are also benefiting from demand redirected from other regions, according to the WTTC. This shift is further strengthening their competitive positioning in the global market.
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.”
She added that Southern Europe remains the engine of this growth, with Spain, Italy, France and Türkiye continuing to attract strong international demand. Guevara emphasized that destinations must keep investing in infrastructure, connectivity and sustainable tourism management. She noted that such investment is essential to support future growth and maintain global competitiveness. The outlook for 2026, she said, positions Europe well to continue leading global Travel & Tourism.
Looking ahead, Europe is forecast to expand by 3.7% in 2026, outpacing the global average of 3.1%. Italy is projected to lead this next phase of growth with a 4.7% increase in leisure spending. It will be followed by Spain (+4.3%), Türkiye (+4.1%) and France (+2.6%). These projections reinforce Southern Europe’s position as a powerhouse of global tourism demand. WTTC’s forecasts are based on current economic and geopolitical conditions and remain subject to change.