Europe has solidified its position as the world's premier leisure travel destination, capturing one-third of all global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) 2026 Economic Impact Research. The continent attracted $2 trillion, highlighting its enduring appeal as millions of travellers embark on summer holidays.
Southern Europe, particularly Italy, Spain, Türkiye, and France, continues to outperform global trends, driven by strong international demand, diverse source markets, and robust connectivity. In 2025, leisure spending in France grew by 3.6%, Spain by 2.6%, and Italy by 2.2%.
Looking forward, Europe's growth momentum is expected to continue into 2026, with a forecasted expansion of 3.7%, surpassing the global average of 3.1%. Italy is projected to lead this growth with a 4.7% increase in leisure spending, followed by Spain at 4.3%, Türkiye at 4.1%, and France at 2.6%.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, stated, "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."
The sustained growth is supported by evolving global travel patterns, with Southern European destinations benefiting from redirected demand from other regions. This trend underscores the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, connectivity, and sustainable tourism management to maintain Europe's global competitiveness
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