Global tourism spending reaches record high as foreign visits to United States decline

Global tourism spending surged by 6.7 percent in 2025, reaching a record 11.7 trillion dollars as more than 1.5 billion tourists traveled across the globe. This significant growth meant the tourism sector expanded at twice the pace of global economic growth, ultimately contributing 10.3 percent of the global gross domestic product. However, while the international travel industry flourished, the United States US faced a downturn in its inbound market. Despite its status as the world’s largest travel and tourism economy and the third most visited country, the United States US registered a 6 percent drop in foreign visitors in 2025, receiving only 68 million arrivals.