Europe is experiencing another busy summer season, especially those countries in the south, as data reveals France, Spain, Italy and Türkiye as among the most sought-after northern summer destinations globally.
New 2026 EIR data from the World Travel & Tourism Council shows that global leisure travel spending reached USD6.15 trillion in 2025, and Europe attracted USD2 trillion of this. France is leading the growth, with tourist spend up 3.6% year-on-year, followed by Spain and Italy at 2.6% and 2.2%, respectively. WTTC president and ceo Gloria Guevara says Europe capturing one-third of all spending worldwide demonstrates the strength, diversity and resilience of its tourism sector. “Destinations such as Spain, Italy, France and Türkiye continue to attract strong international demand thanks to their unique visitor experiences, excellent connectivity and competitive tourism offerings,” she adds.
. . . More Ahead
Looking ahead, the WTTC says the momentum is expected to continue 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 up 4.3%, as well as Türkiye and France at +4.1% and +2.6%, respectively. “The outlook for 2026 shows Europe is well positioned to continue leading global travel and tourism,” concludes Guevara
