The United States remained the world’s largest Travel & Tourism market in 2025, but is witnessing a gradual decline in its global market share, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest Economic Impact Research.
The report, sponsored by Chase Travel, highlighted that while the U.S. continues to lead in overall scale, shifting global travel patterns and rising competition from other regions are impacting its relative position in the global tourism landscape.
Globally, the sector recorded its strongest performance to date, with Travel & Tourism GDP growing 4.1 per cent in 2025. However, North America emerged as the slowest-growing region, expanding by just 1.0 per cent, while the U.S. registered marginal growth of 0.9 per cent.
Despite 80 million more people travelling internationally in 2025, the U.S. saw a 5.5 per cent decline in international visitor numbers compared to 2024. International visitor spending also fell by 4.6 per cent to USD 176 billion, indicating a shift in traveller preference towards other destinations.
The U.S. Travel & Tourism sector contributed USD 2.63 trillion to global GDP, maintaining its scale leadership. It also supported 20.4 million jobs, adding approximately 242,000 new positions during the year. Domestic tourism remained a key strength, with spending reaching USD 1.54 trillion, up 0.3 per cent year-on-year and significantly above pre-pandemic levels.
WTTC noted that the U.S. is at a critical juncture, with the need to boost international demand, enhance destination perception and increase investment to remain competitive. The country’s co-hosting of major global football events in 2026 presents a near-term opportunity, with an estimated 1.24 million international visitors expected during the tournament.
Meanwhile, China continued to close the gap as the second-largest Travel & Tourism market, contributing USD 1.75 trillion to GDP in 2025, reflecting a strong 9.9 per cent growth. The sector supported 84.6 million jobs, while international and domestic visitor spending rose by 10.5 per cent and 10.7 per cent, respectively.
The broader Asia-Pacific region emerged as the fastest-growing globally, with Travel & Tourism GDP increasing by 8.2 per cent to USD 3.29 trillion. Markets such as Malaysia and the Philippines led growth, followed by China, India and Indonesia.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said, “The United States remains the largest Travel & Tourism market in the world and has an amazing foundation. To avoid losing its leadership position, the U.S. must invest in promoting its attractiveness, both in international markets and during the summer of football; change perception and position the U.S. as a welcoming destination; and grow international visitor spend, encouraging stopovers and new experiences.”
Jason Wynn, CEO of Chase Travel, said, “As WTTC’s latest research shows, the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, supporting millions of jobs and driving trillions of dollars in economic growth even amid global headwinds. With the U.S. set to host a series of global events through 2028, we have an extraordinary opportunity to welcome new visitors and bring travellers from around the world closer together, fostering meaningful connections across countries and communities.
“At Chase Travel, we are committed to being the go-to partner and provider for both domestic and international travel, leveraging our world-class marketplace to empower travellers, advisors, and partners to elevate every trip and drive lasting growth for the industry.”
