What Percentage of GDP Is Tourism?

By Michael Ferguson

Tourism is an essential part of many countries’ economies. But what percentage of GDP is actually contributed by this industry? Let’s dive into the numbers and find out.

What is GDP?

Before we can answer the question, we need to understand what GDP is. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a given year. It’s often used as an indicator of a country’s economic health and is calculated by adding up consumer spending, government spending, investment, and net exports.

How Is Tourism Defined?

Tourism is a broad term that encompasses many different activities. The World Tourism Organization defines it as “traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.” This includes everything from vacations to business trips to visits with friends and family.

What Percentage of GDP Is Tourism?

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism directly contributed 3.3% of global GDP in 2019. This may not seem like a large number, but when you consider that the global GDP was over $87 trillion that year, it adds up to a significant amount.

When you include indirect contributions from tourism-related industries such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation, the total contribution rises to 10.4% of global GDP in 2019.

Regional Differences

The percentage of GDP contributed by tourism varies widely by region. In small island nations such as Maldives or Seychelles, tourism can make up over 50% of their entire GDP. In contrast, some larger countries such as China or Russia have lower percentages due to their size and diverse economies.

The Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the tourism industry, with many countries closing their borders and implementing travel restrictions. According to the WTTC, the global tourism industry lost $4.5 trillion in GDP in 2020, a decrease of 49.1% from the previous year.

Conclusion

Tourism may only directly contribute a small percentage of global GDP, but its indirect impacts on related industries make it an essential part of many economies. As we continue to navigate the pandemic and its impact on travel, it will be interesting to see how this industry evolves and adapts in the coming years.