The world’s travel and tourism sector is forecast to outpace the wider economy during the next decade. The World Travel and Tourism Council’s latest economic impact research, sponsored by lead research partner Chase Travel, forecasts the global tourism and travel sector will outpace wider economic growth in 2026. The sector is expected to contribute $12 trillion to the world economy, accounting for 9.9 per cent of global GDP, and to grow 3.2 per cent globally in 2026, compared to a global economic growth forecast of 2.4 per cent. World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts Spain’s travel and tourism sector will grow by 3.7 per cent in 2026, matching Türkiye and outpacing the wider European economy, while Italy is expected to lead the region’s major markets with growth of 3.8 per cent. “Travel and tourism continues to prove its resilience across Europe and remains one of the region’s most important economic growth engines at a time when wider economic expansion is slowing,” says Gloria Guevara, president and CEO, WTTC.