Travel Industry to Contribute Record $11 Trillion to Global GDP in 2024

Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)
Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)
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Travel Industry to Contribute Record $11 Trillion to Global GDP in 2024

Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)
Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)

A record $1 out of every $10 spent globally in 2024 will be on travel as people briskly book hotels, cruises and flights, according to an annual report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, a non-profit membership organization.

The travel and tourism industry's contribution to global gross domestic product is expected to reach new heights as consumers increasingly see travel as an essential part of their budgets.

The WTTC estimates the industry's contribution to global GDP in 2024 will increase 12.1% year-over-year to $11.1 trillion, making up 10% of global GDP. This represents about a 7.5% increase from the previous record set in 2019.

"Despite some concerns last year about us going into a global recession and high inflation, this year we are looking at travel and tourism being a real economic powerhouse globally," said Julia Simpson, CEO of the non-profit organization.

Travel spending in the US, Chinese and German economies is expected to contribute the most to GDP.

The sector is expected to support nearly 348 million jobs in 2024, or 13.6 million jobs more than in 2019, the previous record prior to the pandemic. The industry is still hiring to fill jobs in the rapidly expanding field.

In the United States, there are currently 1 million job openings across the leisure and hospitality industry, according to the US Travel Association. Total employment supported in the US was about 27 million jobs in 2023, according to the WTTC.



Madinah Investment Forum to Kick Off on Sunday

Madinah Investment Forum to Kick Off on Sunday
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Madinah Investment Forum to Kick Off on Sunday

Madinah Investment Forum to Kick Off on Sunday

The Madinah Investment Forum, organized by Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Chamber under the theme "Invest in Madinah", will start on Sunday and run for two days.
The forum consists of a diverse range of programs, events, and four specialized dialogue sessions focusing on key aspects of the national investment strategy. It will host 18 speakers and more than 40 entities, and present 200 investment opportunities, valued at over SAR57 billion, in more than ten targeted sectors, SPA reported.
The event will highlight Madinah's significant achievements and showcase development and investment projects in the region. It will explore promising investment sectors, comparative and competitive advantages, and the region's potential to support investment growth. Key areas of focus include hospitality, logistics, agriculture, and real estate.
The forum's objectives include identifying investment opportunities in Madinah, fostering investment partnerships, attracting new investments, and introducing financing solutions and business sector services for major development projects.
The event is aimed at a broad audience, including local and international investors, government agencies, development organizations, private sector representatives, investment agencies, financial institutions, consulting firms, and professional service providers.