European Tourism to Grow 3.6% in 2026, Outpacing Regional GDP by 3.5x
The WTTC forecasts European travel and tourism will grow at 3.6% in 2026, compared to regional GDP growth of just 1% making tourism nearly four times faster than the broader European economy. Spain and Italy continue to lead the rebound, with Spain’s travel GDP expected to grow 3.7% . Spain recorded 96.8 million international arrivals in 2025, one of Europe’s highest figures. International visitor spending in Europe is projected to rise by over 7% in 2026, far outpacing the global average .
Why it matters for B2B
For DMCs, tour operators, and hotel groups with European exposure, the outlook is exceptionally strong. The 7% growth in international spending suggests travelers are not just coming—they’re spending more per trip. Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Türkiye) is outperforming.
Figures are from WTTC‘s Economic Impact Report via syndicated coverage . Spain’s 96.8 million arrivals are 2025 actuals; the 3.7% growth and 7% spending growth are 2026 forecasts.
Double down on Southern European inventory; monitor for labor shortages given the rapid job creation (376 million globally).
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