As millions of travellers head abroad during the peak summer holiday season, Europe has reinforced its position as the world’s leading leisure travel destination, capturing one-third of all global leisure travel spending in 2025, according to new 2026 EIR data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel as Lead Research Partner.
The latest figures show that global leisure travel spending reached $6.15 trillion in 2025, up 3.5% year-on-year and accounting for 80.5% of total global travel expenditure. Of this, Europe attracted $2 trillion—equivalent to $1 in every $3 spent worldwide on leisure travel—underscoring the region’s enduring appeal as travellers embark on this year’s summer holidays.
Southern European destinations remain at the heart of this success, with France, Spain, Italy and Türkiye continuing to rank among the most sought-after summer destinations globally. Their popularity stems from strong international demand, diverse source markets, world-class tourism offerings and robust connectivity. As Europe experiences another busy summer season, the region’s performance reflects not just strong seasonal demand but also longer-term competitiveness. Leisure spending growth remained resilient across key destinations in 2025, with France expanding by 3.6%, Spain by 2.6%, and Italy by 2.2%.
Looking ahead, Europe’s growth momentum is expected to continue beyond the summer months and into 2026, when the region is forecast to expand by 3.7%, outpacing the global average of 3.1%. Italy is projected to lead this next phase of growth with a 4.7% increase in leisure spending, followed by Spain at 4.3%, Türkiye at 4.1%, and France at 2.6%—further reinforcing Southern Europe’s position as a powerhouse of global tourism demand. This sustained growth is also being supported by evolving global travel patterns, with Southern European destinations increasingly benefiting from demand redirected from other regions, strengthening their overall competitive positioning.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said that with summer travel at its peak, Europe continues to set the pace for global leisure tourism, capturing a third of worldwide spending and demonstrating the strength, diversity and resilience of its tourism sector. She noted that Southern Europe remains the primary engine of this growth, with destinations such as Spain, Italy, France and Türkiye continuing to attract strong international demand thanks to their unique visitor experiences, excellent connectivity and competitive tourism offerings. Guevara added that with millions of travellers currently holidaying across the continent, it is essential for destinations to continue investing in infrastructure, connectivity and sustainable tourism management to support future growth and maintain global competitiveness, noting that the outlook for 2026 positions Europe well to sustain its leadership in global leisure tourism.