Latest news with #JuliaSimpson
Canada Standard
14 hours ago
- Business
- Canada Standard
Europe set for 11% rise in tourist spending, WTTC report says
MADRID, Spain: Europe's tourism sector is poised for a strong 2025, with international visitor spending projected to grow by 11 percent and reach US$838 billion, according to a new report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). France and Spain are expected to lead the surge, with record-breaking tourist numbers on the horizon. In contrast, the WTTC predicts a seven percent drop in international spending in the United States this year. The group cited potential deterrents such as President Donald Trump's trade and migration policies and weaker currency exchange rates. "Which means that more people will come to Europe," said WTTC CEO Julia Simpson at a press briefing, noting that Canadians and Mexicans might be especially likely to avoid U.S. travel this year. Spain is forecast to see a six percent boost in tourist spending, totaling 113.2 billion euros ($127.7 billion). Arrivals are projected to be between 98 and 100 million, surpassing last year's record of 94 million. "Americans will continue to travel abroad ... and they will be very welcome in Spain," Simpson added. France, however, is still expected to receive more tourists than Spain, while the U.S. remains the largest travel and tourism market globally.
Travel Daily News
4 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
WTTC: Spain 's tourism sector could exceed 260bn euros by 2025
In 2024, the sector in Spain achieved its best result since 2019, with a contribution of almost 249bn. euros to GDP International tourism spending grew by nearly 11% year-on-year MADRID, SPAIN – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that by 2025 the travel and tourism sector in Spain could reach a new all-time high, with an estimated contribution of 260.5 billion euros to GDP, equivalent to almost 16% of the national economy. According to the latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), prepared by WTTC in collaboration with Oxford Economics, these forecasts reinforce the role of tourism as one of the country's main economic drivers, with an estimated year-on-year increase of 4.7%. WTTC projects that by the end of 2025 the sector will account for 3.2 million jobs in Spain, equivalent to 14.4% of total employment. By 2025, spending by international tourists is expected to reach 113.2 billion euros, with a year-on-year growth of 5.7%, while domestic spending could reach 84.9 billion euros, 2.4% more than the previous year. Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, said: 'Spain remains a true global tourism powerhouse. The data reflects a dynamic, resilient and constantly evolving sector, which not only drives economic growth, but also creates quality jobs and promotes regional development. The forecasts for 2025 are very positive, and with a firm commitment to sustainability and innovation, Spain is well positioned to lead the future of global tourism, even in a challenging international environment.' A look back to 2024 During 2024, the Spanish tourism sector experienced its best year since 2019. Its contribution to GDP rose by almost 8% to €248.7 billion, or 15.6% of the economy. It also employed 3 million people, nearly 14% of the country's total jobs. Spending by international tourists was 107.1 billion euros (up 10.9% year-on-year), while domestic spending reached 82.9 billion, up 2.2% on 2023. These segments accounted for 56.4% and 43.6% of total expenditure, respectively. Leisure travel accounted for 88.3% of total expenditure, compared to 11.7% for business travel expenditure. The main source countries for arrivals into Spain in 2024 were the United Kingdom (20%), France (14%) and Germany (13%). The destinations most visited by Spaniards were France (25%), Italy (14%), the United Kingdom (8%) and Portugal (8%). The next decade Looking ahead to 2035, the WTTC projects that the tourism sector could contribute €315.7 billion to the GDP, which would represent more than 17% of the Spanish economy, as well as 4 million jobs, 700,000 more than at present. Regional data: European Union In 2024, the EU travel and tourism sector contributed almost 1.8 trillion euros to the region's GDP, or more than 10% of its economy. This figure exceeded 2019 levels by almost 6%. Employment associated with the sector grew by 4.7%, year-on-year, to 24.6 million jobs, accounting for one in nine jobs across the region. Domestic travel spending in the EU reached 1 trillion euros, while spending by international visitors reached 515 billion euros. By 2025, WTTC forecasts that the regional sector will reach almost 1.9 trillion euros, representing 10.5% of the EU economy. Employment linked to the sector is estimated to total 25.7 million people, or 12% of the regional total. In addition, the agency expects international spending to grow by more than 11% to 573 billion euros, and domestic spending to increase by 1.6% to more than 1.1 trillion euros.
Hospitality Net
4 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Spain's Tourism Sector Could Exceed €260 Billion by 2025, According to WTTC
In 2024, the sector achieved its best result since 2019, with a contribution of almost €249 billion to GDP International tourism spending grew by nearly 11% year-on-year Madrid, Spain - The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that by 2025 the travel and tourism sector in Spain could reach a new all-time high, with an estimated contribution of €260.5 billion to GDP, equivalent to almost 16% of the national economy. According to the latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), prepared by WTTC in collaboration with Oxford Economics, these forecasts reinforce the role of tourism as one of the country's main economic drivers, with an estimated year-on-year increase of 4.7%. WTTC projects that by the end of 2025 the sector will account for 3.2 million jobs in Spain, equivalent to 14.4% of total employment. By 2025, spending by international tourists is expected to reach €113.2 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 5.7%, while domestic spending could reach 84.9 billion euros, 2.4% more than the previous year. Spain remains a true global tourism powerhouse. The data reflects a dynamic, resilient and constantly evolving sector, which not only drives economic growth, but also creates quality jobs and promotes regional development. The forecasts for 2025 are very positive, and with a firm commitment to sustainability and innovation, Spain is well positioned to lead the future of global tourism, even in a challenging international environment. Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC A look back to 2024 During 2024, the Spanish tourism sector experienced its best year since 2019. Its contribution to GDP rose by almost 8% to €248.7 billion, or 15.6% of the economy. It also employed 3 million people, nearly 14% of the country's total jobs. Spending by international tourists was €107.1 billion (up 10.9% year-on-year), while domestic spending reached 82.9 billion, up 2.2% on 2023. These segments accounted for 56.4% and 43.6% of total expenditure, respectively. Leisure travel accounted for 88.3% of total expenditure, compared to 11.7% for business travel expenditure. The main source countries for arrivals into Spain in 2024 were the United Kingdom (20%), France (14%) and Germany (13%). The destinations most visited by Spaniards were France (25%), Italy (14%), the United Kingdom (8%) and Portugal (8%). The next decade Looking ahead to 2035, the WTTC projects that the tourism sector could contribute €315.7 billion to the GDP, which would represent more than 17% of the Spanish economy, as well as 4 million jobs, 700,000 more than at present. Regional data: European Union In 2024, the EU travel and tourism sector contributed almost €1.8 trillion to the region's GDP, or more than 10% of its economy. This figure exceeded 2019 levels by almost 6%. Employment associated with the sector grew by 4.7%, year-on-year, to 24.6 million jobs, accounting for one in nine jobs across the region. Domestic travel spending in the EU reached €1 trillion, while spending by international visitors reached €515 billion. By 2025, WTTC forecasts that the regional sector will reach almost €1.9 trillion, representing 10.5% of the EU economy. Employment linked to the sector is estimated to total 25.7 million people, or 12% of the regional total. In addition, the agency expects international spending to grow by more than 11% to €573 billion, and domestic spending to increase by 1.6% to more than €1.1 trillion. For more information and to access the full factsheet, please visit WTTC's Research Hub. About WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector. WTTC Press Office WTTC View source
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
International tourist spending in Europe seen up 11% this year, report says
MADRID, May 29 (Reuters) - International travel spending in Europe is expected to rise by 11% to $838 billion this year, with France and Spain among the countries set to receive record numbers of tourists, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council. The rosy forecast may be influenced in part by some tourists avoiding the United States as the WTTC expects foreign visitors' spending in the U.S. to decline by about 7% this year. The group's CEO, Julia Simpson, told a press briefing that neighbouring Canadians and Mexicans might opt against travel to the U.S. in light of President Donald Trump's trade and migration policies, or unfavourable currency exchange rates, "which means that more people will come to Europe". The WTTC, which represents the travel industry's private sector, estimated tourists would spend 6% - or 113.2 billion euros ($127.7 billion) - more in Spain this year than in 2024, with between 98 and 100 million visitors topping last year's record of 94 million. "Americans will continue to travel abroad ... and they will be very welcome in Spain," Simpson said. According to the WTTC, France will still receive more tourists than Spain, while the U.S. remains the world's largest travel and tourism market. ($1 = 0.8865 euros)
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa's tourism sector works hard to shake off Covid-19 blues
South Africa's international tourism sector showed strong growth in early 2025, continuing its steady recovery from the pandemic downturn and reinforcing its importance to the economy. Image: Se-Anne Rall/IOL South Africa's international tourism sector showed strong growth in early 2025, continuing its steady recovery from the pandemic downturn and reinforcing its importance to the economy. In fact, the World Travel & Tourism Council expects South Africa's travel and tourism sector to 'reach a major milestone' this year and is set to support 1.9 million jobs, surpassing 2019 levels and marking an all-time high, underlining its role as a key employer and major source of opportunity, with the sector accounting for 11.3% of all jobs in South Africa. Yet, even as more tourists come through South Africa's airports, international visitor spending, while set to grow steadily, is likely to remain below pre pandemic levels at R128.4 billion, trailing 2019 by R37.7bn, the Council said. Domestic visitor spending continues to show stronger resilience, with the 2025 total spend forecast at R445 billion, 3.8% above 2019 levels. According to Statistics South Africa, 2.98 million travellers passed through South African borders in April 2025, marking a 21.4% increase compared to April 2024. This growth is part of a broader upward trend seen in recent months, with 2.84 million travellers recorded in March and 3.09 million in January 2025. World Travel and Tourism Council CEO and President, Julia Simpson, said, 'South Africa's Travel and Tourism sector is slowly turning the corner. Jobs are leading the recovery, with employment expected to reach new highs, showing the enormous human impact of the sector's growth.' Investec economist, Lara Hodes, said in a note that, despite the challenges facing the tourism industry, it remains a key sector for growth and job creation. Her calculations showed that tourist arrivals to South Africa rose by 5.7% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, with those travelling from overseas countries increasing by a modest 3.1% on an annualised basis, while overseas tourism declined by 0.9% as of March versus the same month last year. 'While the domestic tourism sector has rebounded notably from the devastation caused by the pandemic related lockdowns, it continues to face a number of challenges which weigh on optimal activity and investment,' said Hodes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She pointed to key constraints including 'elevated operational costs, inadequate and poorly maintained infrastructure, high levels of red tape preventing the efficient and timely delivery of key services and critically, an excessive crime rate, which is a significant deterrent for visitors.' Yet, Statistics South Africa's latest print, for April, stated that 'a comparison between the movements in March 2025 and April 2025 indicates that the volume of arrivals, departures and transits increased for both South African residents and foreign travellers'. Although only 35% of those entering South Africa stayed for a while, and 32.3% entered multiple times, the accommodation sector is also growing, albeit a bit slower than in February. Hodes noted that income derived from the tourist accommodation industry, excluding restaurant and bar sales and other income, dropped to 6.9% year-on-year at the end of the first quarter, following February's 12.6% lift when compared to the same time last year. The largest category, hotels, was largely responsible for March's lift, on the back of growth of 8.5% year-on-year, she said. Tourism's contribution to South Africa's gross domestic product has grown, now estimated at 8.8%, supporting around 1.68 million jobs. IOL
