The travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to the global economy, generating substantial revenue and providing employment opportunities worldwide. Here are some statistics on the size and scope of the industry:
- According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the global travel and tourism industry’s total contribution to GDP was $8.8 trillion in 2019, which represented 10.4% of the global GDP.
- In the same year, the industry supported 319 million jobs worldwide, which is equivalent to 10% of the global workforce.
- The industry is expected to continue growing in the coming years, with the WTTC forecasting that the industry’s total contribution to GDP will rise to $11.4 trillion by 2029.
- The Asia-Pacific region is the largest travel and tourism market in the world, accounting for approximately 34% of global international tourist arrivals in 2019, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
- The largest sub-sector within the industry is accommodation, which accounted for 25% of the industry’s total contribution to GDP in 2019, followed by food and beverage services (17%) and passenger transportation services (16%).
Overall, the travel and tourism industry is a crucial sector that plays a significant role in the global economy, providing employment opportunities and generating significant revenue for businesses and governments.

