(Posted 17th October 2026)
New World Travel & Tourism Council data, mapped by Visual Capitalist, shows where international travellers spent their money in 2025:
Europe remains far ahead, with more than 40% of all international visitor spending. Asia Pacific is second with more than a quarter and grew faster than any other region last year, although it has only just returned to its 2019 level.
North America is third and the only region moving backwards: below 2024 and almost a fifth below 2019. Mexico and Canada grew. The decline came from the US, where longer visa waits and stricter border policy weighed on arrivals.
The Middle East is the growth story. Spending there is more than a quarter above 2019, led by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. This year is a harder test for the region, and the next dataset will show how it holds up.
The Caribbean stands out: small in absolute terms, yet a fifth above pre-pandemic levels. Africa and Central and South America keep growing at a steadier pace.
For those who serve travellers at an airport, the map is a reminder that demand moves between regions faster than supplier networks get built. The arrival service has to be in place wherever the client lands this year, not where they landed last year.
