4.5 Million New Jobs Expected in EU’s Travel and Tourism by 2035

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts positive growth for the European Union’s Travel and Tourism sector over the next decade, with an additional 4.5 million jobs expected to be created by 2035. The sector’s GDP contribution will also rise significantly, reaching nearly €2.3 trillion and accounting for almost 11% of the overall EU economy.

The WTTC’s recent Economic Impact Research highlights the robust future of the EU’s Travel and Tourism sector. The sector is anticipated to support over 30 million jobs by 2035, reinforcing its crucial role in the EU’s socio-economic landscape. The sector is expected to support one in seven jobs across the region, becoming one of the most strategically important industries within the EU.

According to the WTTC’s forecasts, the sector’s GDP contribution will rise to almost €2.3 trillion, with its economic share climbing to just under 11% over the same period. The industry is expected to outperform broader economic growth with a 10-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 1.8%, compared to 1.3% for the EU economy overall. Moreover, the sector is projected to contribute more than €900 billion annually to EU governments through tax revenues.

International visitor spending is slated to reach €730 billion over the next ten years, while domestic visitor spending is estimated to exceed €1.2 trillion. These figures indicate that the travel and tourism sector’s impact on the EU economy is expanding.

By 2025, the sector is forecasted to contribute nearly €1.9 trillion to the EU’s GDP, accounting for 10.5% of the EU economy. Employment is expected to reach almost 26 million, representing 12% of all EU jobs, further underscoring the sector’s growing impact.

The WTTC also welcomed the appointment of Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas as European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, indicating a renewed focus on a sector that supports millions of livelihoods across the continent and plays a vital role in driving economic growth, inclusion, and innovation.

The WTTC is optimistic about the sector’s resilience and ability to drive jobs, innovation, and regional growth. They anticipate the upcoming decade will provide an opportunity to build a more sustainable and connected sector, opening new European tourism destinations.

In 2024, the EU’s Travel and Tourism sector contributed almost €1.8 trillion to the EU’s GDP, accounting for over 10% of the economy. Jobs grew nearly 5% year-on-year to over 24.5 million, and the sector was responsible for one in nine jobs across the region.

The WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research, produced in collaboration with Oxford Economics, reaffirms the sector’s long-term potential and critical role in job creation, investment, and prosperity across every corner of the EU.