A recent report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects a significant rebound for Australia’s travel and tourism sector, forecasting a record-breaking economic contribution of $314.4 billion by 2025. This figure represents a nearly one-third increase from pre-pandemic levels and is expected to constitute 11.4% of the country’s GDP. The growth is being fueled by strong demand from both international visitors and domestic travelers, reinforcing the sector’s crucial role in the national economy.
Key Projections for 2025
The WTTC’s analysis highlights several key indicators of the sector’s robust recovery and growth:
- Job Creation: The industry is poised to be a major source of employment, with projections indicating it will support 1.7 million jobs by 2025. This marks an increase of 100,000 jobs from the previous year, demonstrating a strong return to pre-pandemic employment figures.
- Visitor Spending: Both international and domestic spending are expected to reach new heights. International visitor spending is forecasted to hit $39 billion, while domestic spending is anticipated to be a staggering $173 billion.
Long-Term Outlook
Looking further ahead, the WTTC’s long-term outlook for Australia’s travel and tourism industry is even more optimistic. By 2035, the sector’s economic contribution is projected to exceed $406 billion and is expected to support over 2.1 million jobs, further cementing its position as a pillar of the Australian economy.