In 2022, the total contribution of travel and tourism to the global gross domestic product (GDP) was 23 percent lower than in 2019, the year prior to the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Overall, the contribution of travel and tourism to the global GDP amounted to 7.7 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022. This figure was forecast to reach an estimated 9.5 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023, remaining five percent below pre-pandemic levels.

Which countries record the highest travel and tourism contribution to GDP?

GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced in a country in a year. It is considered an important indicator of a country’s economic strength, and a positive change in GDP is a sign of economic growth. In 2022, the United States and China were by far the leading travel markets based on the total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP. That year, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan followed in the ranking.

What are the most visited countries in the world?

In 2021, the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide slightly increased over the previous year but stayed way below the figures recorded prior to the health crisis. Despite the significant drop in inbound travelers, France remained the country with the highest number of international tourist arrivals worldwide in 2021. That year, the European destination welcomed nearly 50 million international visitors, while Mexico and Spain ranked second and third, respectively, with just above 30 million inbound tourist arrivals.