Europe accounted for one in every three dollars spent on leisure travel worldwide in 2025, cementing its status as the world’s top leisure destination. According to new 2026 Economic Impact Research data from the World Travel & Tourism Council, global leisure travel spending reached $6.15 trillion in 2025, up 3.5 percent year over year.
Global leisure travel expenditure was 80.5 percent of all travel expenditure, with Europe attracting $2 trillion of that total. Europe’s strong performance was driven by Southern Europe, where countries such as France, Spain, Italy, and Türkiye remained among the most in-demand summer destinations globally.
Leisure spending grew 3.6 percent in France, 2.6 percent in Spain, and 2.2 percent in Italy in 2025. The momentum is expected to carry into 2026, when the WTTC forecasts European leisure spending will grow 3.7 percent, ahead of the 3.1 percent global average.
Italy is projected to lead the region with a 4.7 percent increase, followed by Spain at 4.3 percent, Türkiye at 4.1 percent, and France at 2.6 percent. They also noted that Southern European destinations are increasingly benefiting from demand redirected away from other regions.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said that Europe continues to set the pace for global leisure tourism, capturing one-third of all spending worldwide. Southern Europe remains the engine of this growth, with destinations such as Spain, Italy, France, and Türkiye continuing to attract strong international demand thanks to their unique visitor experiences, excellent connectivity, and competitive tourism offerings.
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Guevara added that continued investment in infrastructure, connectivity, and sustainable tourism management will be essential for destinations to maintain their competitiveness. The outlook for 2026 shows Europe is well positioned to continue leading global Travel & Tourism.
Europe will continue to attract millions of travelers as the summer travel season reaches its peak. With its strong international demand, diverse source markets, and robust air connectivity, the region is poised for further growth.
It is important to consider the potential challenges that may arise, such as managing sustainable tourism and maintaining competitiveness. However, for now, Europe remains the top leisure destination, and its popularity shows no signs of waning.
With $2 trillion in leisure spending in 2025, the region is a significant contributor to the global travel industry. As the WTTC continues to monitor the situation, it is clear that Europe will remain a major player in the world of leisure travel for years to come, with many travelers likely to book airline tickets to visit the region.
The World Travel & Tourism Council provides more information on the state of the travel industry, including research and analysis on global travel trends.
