Greece and Spain Lead in 1.5 Billion Global Tourism Record Year

The year 2025 has set a historic milestone for global tourism, with more than 1.5 billion people traveling internationally, surpassing all previous records and confirming the sector’s full recovery from the pandemic years.

On average, 219,000 travelers arrived at international destinations daily, an unprecedented figure and an increase of approximately 80 million compared to 2024. The economic impact has been substantial: tourism contributed 6.7% to global GDP, generating $11.7 trillion in economic value. If tourism were an independent economy, it would rank as the world’s third-largest. The sector also remains a key driver of employment, with one in three new jobs globally linked directly or indirectly to tourism.

Europe saw strong performances, with Spain confirming its status as a top global destination. The country welcomed 96.5 million international visitors in 2025—a record—and tourism now accounts for 16% of Spain’s GDP, generating €260 billion and over 3.2 million jobs. Spain’s success is attributed to strong connectivity, consistent tourism policies, and close public-private collaboration.

Greece also recorded a highly successful year, with more than 31.6 million international visitors by September—a 4% increase over 2024. Tourism revenues exceeded €20 billion in the first nine months, highlighting growth not only in arrivals but also in high-quality spending. Greek tourism now represents around 2.5% of the global market, an impressive achievement for a medium-sized country. Factors driving this growth include an extended tourist season, the rise of city breaks, strong demand from markets like the United States and Central Europe, and sustained interest in island destinations.

In contrast, the United States experienced a decline in inbound tourism spending, despite being the largest global tourism economy overall. Around 85% of U.S. tourism activity is domestic, and international arrivals fell, particularly from Canada and Europe, due to stricter immigration policies and geopolitical tensions. Countries such as France, Spain, and Greece, which maintain a balanced domestic-international tourism mix, have proven more resilient to international shocks.

The record year of 2025 underscores that tourism is not only a major economic engine but also a deeply human activity that connects economies, cultures, and people. It highlights the sector’s role in fostering social cohesion and global engagement, reinforcing travel as a source of stability, growth, and shared experience worldwide.