Global travel and tourism are on track for a record-breaking year, driven by rising international visitor spending. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) projects global tourism spending will hit $2.1 trillion in 2025, up from $1.9 trillion in 2019. The sector is expected to contribute $11.7 trillion to the global economy—10.3% of global GDP—and add 14 million jobs, reaching 371 million worldwide.

“People continue to prioritize travel,” said WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson, calling it a sign of confidence in the sector. Still, she noted the recovery is uneven across regions.

El Salvador stands out as a success story. According to UN Tourism, it’s the second-fastest-growing country in global tourism post-pandemic and the top in the Americas. In 2024, it welcomed 3.9 million visitors and generated over $3.5 billion in revenue, according to Tourism Minister Morena Valdez.

With global tourism expected to reach $16.5 trillion and employ over 460 million people by 2035, El Salvador’s strong performance positions it as a rising star in the industry.