G20 tourism investment will reach $12.5 trillion by 2035
The projection was presented during ITB Berlin, where it was highlighted that global travel demand will grow by 3.3% annually over the next decade, while countries like Germany and Spain will lead the development of tourism infrastructure
The travel and tourism sector is heading into a pivotal decade for its development. According to a new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the world's leading economies project an investment of $12.5 trillion in the sector by 2035, a boost that will be crucial for strengthening the competitiveness and economic growth of the G20 countries.
The study, titled Bridging the Gap: Travel & Tourism Capital Investment and Demand Growth Across the G20 , was prepared in collaboration with Oxford Economics and presented in Berlin. The report indicates that demand for travel and tourism in the G20 economies, as well as in Spain, will grow at an average rate of 3.3% annually over the next decade.
In parallel, capital investment in the sector will expand at an even faster pace, with an estimated annual growth of 4.6%. However, the report warns that there is a time lag between demand growth and investment recovery, which could put pressure on the capacity of tourist destinations in the short term.
According to the analysis, this divergence could lead to localized episodes of overcrowding and increased pressure on existing tourism infrastructure. This trend is expected to shift by 2033, when investment is projected to exceed demand, allowing for balanced growth in the sector and improving its long-term resilience.
The report also reveals significant differences among the countries analyzed. Some economies are adopting a proactive investment strategy to prepare for future tourism growth.
In this context, Germany emerges as one of the leaders, with a projected investment of $543 billion through 2035. This figure reflects an investment-demand growth ratio of 1.39, reinforcing its position as a resilient and high-quality tourist destination.
For its part, Spain plans to invest $349 billion in the same period, with an investment rate 1.46 times faster than the growth in demand, thus consolidating its competitiveness within the international tourism market.
Regarding these results, Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the WTTC, noted that the sector is entering a new and crucial phase. She explained that countries that align investment with future demand are strengthening their economic resilience and ensuring long-term growth.
Guevara also highlighted that examples such as Germany and Spain demonstrate how a forward-thinking investment strategy can improve connectivity, strengthen infrastructure, and support job creation within the industry.
The report also emphasizes that sustained investment in infrastructure, particularly in transport connectivity and sustainable projects, will be crucial to unlocking the sector's full economic potential. In this regard, the WTTC called for strengthened collaboration between governments and the private sector to ensure that investments remain aligned with global demand trends and generate measurable economic returns.
Fuente: World Travel & Tourism Council.