# Future of Travel and Tourism: Embracing Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

**Publisher:** World Economic Forum  
**Published:** 2025-01-05  
**Category:** Global institutions & policy  
**Type:** White paper  
**Access:** Free PDF  
**Official source:** https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Travel_and_Tourism_2025.pdf  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/future-of-travel-and-tourism-embracing-sustainable-and-inclusive-growth

## At a glance
- Travel spending forecast to grow 7% annually over 2024–2034, compared with 5% average 2010–2019.
- Environmental impact influences destination choice for three in four travellers; 50% of ages 25–34 cite it as major factor.
- Business travel contributes $1.4 trillion to global GDP; backbone for global commerce and relations.
- Rwanda gorilla tourism generated $164 million in 2021; 10% of park revenue funds community projects.
- Wellness travel expected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2025; 97% of respondents report planned trips improve happiness.

## What the report covers
The World Economic Forum and Kearney examine travel and tourism sector recovery and future trajectory post-pandemic. The report outlines roles of governments, private enterprise, associations, local communities and travellers in driving sustainable, inclusive growth. It identifies opportunities in technology adoption, wellness, cultural preservation and social inclusion, with case studies from Rwanda, Saudi Arabia and Peru.

## Key findings
Travel and tourism experienced unprecedented disruption in 2020, with international arrivals and global spending dropping over 70% and 52% respectively. Full recovery occurred by 2023, initially driven by domestic travel. According to the report, spending is now forecast to grow 7% annually through 2034, accelerating from 5% annual average between 2010–2019.

Environmental considerations reshape traveller behaviour across age groups. Three of four travellers view environmental impact as crucial in destination selection. Survey data shows 50% of respondents aged 25–34 cite environmental impact as major role in choice, compared with 45% in the 35–44 age group, demonstrating younger demographics drive demand for eco-conscious options.

Artificial intelligence and big data analytics create personalisation and efficiency opportunities. The report identifies AI-powered itineraries, real-time translation, price prediction and face-recognition technologies as enhancing experience and productivity. Destination management organisations use analytics for visitor flow planning; hospitality operators leverage cloud-based systems for personalised service delivery.

Wellness and well-being represent significant growth. The report notes 97% of survey respondents reported planned trips enhanced happiness. Wellness travel expected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2025. Companies adopting flexible work and blended itineraries report improved retention and satisfaction, with digital nomad visas now available in over 40 countries.

Community-based regenerative tourism models deliver conservation and economic benefits. Rwanda's gorilla tourism generated $164 million in 2021, with 10% of national park revenue distributed to local communities, funding over 700 projects and $5.5 million investment, demonstrating sustainable tourism can preserve ecosystems and lift communities from poverty.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Annual travel spending growth forecast | 7% | Forecast 2024–2034; compares with 5% average 2010–2019 |
| Global travel spending drop in 2020 | 52% | Observed; international arrivals fell over 70% |
| Travel and tourism sector GDP contribution pre-pandemic | 10.4% of global GDP | Pre-2020; also accounted for 10% of jobs worldwide |
| Business travel direct GDP contribution | $1.4 trillion | Observed; backbone for global commerce |
| Travellers citing environmental impact as major role, ages 25–34 | 50% | Survey result; 45% ages 35–44; 43% overall |
| Wellness travel market forecast | $1.3 trillion | Forecast by 2025 |
| Rwanda gorilla tourism revenue | $164 million | Observed 2021; 10% distributed to local communities |
| Global greenhouse gas emissions from T&T sector | 8% of global GHG emissions | Observed; sector also 10% of global energy consumption |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — DMOs are positioned as critical bridges between local and global markets. The report emphasises their role in innovation, competitive resilience and knowledge-sharing. Strategies must balance visitor growth—7% annual spending forecast—with sustainable practices, community benefit and cultural preservation, particularly as overtourism threatens Barcelona and Venice.

**Hotels & hospitality** — Operators must adopt sustainable practices and technology-driven personalisation to capture evolving demand. AI, cloud-based systems and face-recognition are operational essentials. Wellness and regenerative tourism present new propositions: 97% of travellers report trips improve well-being. Hotels can differentiate through authentic cultural experiences and inclusive design serving diverse needs.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Technology companies enable sector transformation. AI applications—personalised itineraries, translation, price prediction—address traveller preferences and efficiency. Big data supports destination planning and visitor management. International payment processing represents up to one-third of leading processors' revenue. Travel tech must integrate sustainability metrics and accessibility features to align with evolved expectations.

## Methodology and limits
The briefing paper synthesises analysis from World Economic Forum and Kearney, combining historical data (2010–2019), observed pandemic impact (2020–2023) and forecasts (2024–2034). Survey data on traveller preferences are cited but sample size and detailed methodology not disclosed in the publicly available source. Case studies from Rwanda, Saudi Arabia and Peru illustrate findings. This brief draws from the full publicly available source document.

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© World Economic Forum for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Travel_and_Tourism_2025.pdf