Europe’s travel economy will surge 3.1% in 2026, outpacing last year’s 2.6% growth and leaving the broader European economy behind, according to projections from the World Travel & Tourism Council.
The forecast landed as more than 1,000 government officials and industry executives convened in Valletta for the WTTC’s 26th Global Summit. For a sector already accounting for roughly one in ten European jobs, the numbers signal continued momentum despite persistent geopolitical turbulence.
Global travel and tourism should expand 2.5% this year, yet Europe’s trajectory looks considerably stronger. International visitor spending across the region is projected to climb 5.8%. Leisure spending should rise 3.1%, while business travel spending is expected to jump 4.2%.
WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara emphasized the sector’s durability. “In Europe, the outlook is even stronger, with Travel & Tourism forecast to grow 3.1% in 2026,” she said. Guevara called on governments to foster conditions for expansion, citing smoother travel, improved connectivity, workforce investment, and sustainable funding as priorities.
The summit’s focus, according to WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre, centers on partnerships and initiatives that keep the industry driving economic growth and investment amid global uncertainty.
Meanwhile, host nation Malta stands out as one of Europe’s top performers. WTTC forecasts travel and tourism will contribute US$4.9 billion to the Maltese economy in 2026, equal to 16.9% of GDP, while sustaining more than one in five jobs. In 2025, Malta recorded Europe’s strongest annual increase in travel GDP contribution at 16.8%, compared with the European average of 2.6%.
Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, said the country’s goal extends beyond visitor volume. The ambition is to extract greater economic, social, and environmental value from tourism.
The Valletta summit, themed FUTU[RE]SET, draws more than 200 travel CEOs and government leaders along with over 100 speakers. Attendees include former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and Nick Adams, the first US Presidential Envoy for Tourism.
Discussions will tackle investment, connectivity, artificial intelligence, workforce development, destination competitiveness, and sustainable growth as the industry adapts to shifting traveler demand and global economic pressures.
