Central and South America’s Travel & Tourism sector is projected to outperform global growth in 2026, according to new WTTC research. Strong domestic demand, rising international visitor spending, and resilience against geopolitical disruption are driving growth across key markets, including Ecuador, Bolivia, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, and Guatemala.
Madrid- Central and South America’s Travel & Tourism sector is forecast to outperform the global average in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand, rising international visitor spending, and lower exposure to geopolitical disruption affecting other regions, according to new Economic Impact Research (EIR) released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), sponsored by Chase Travel, Lead Research Partner.
WTTC’s latest research projects Travel & Tourism GDP across Central and South America will grow by 4.1% in 2026, surpassing the global average forecast of 3.2%. International visitor spending across the region is expected to increase by 7.8%, more than double the global growth rate of 3.7%.
Globally, WTTC forecasts Travel & Tourism will contribute US$12 trillion to the world economy in 2026, representing 9.9% of global GDP, while supporting 376 million jobs worldwide. Over the next decade, global Travel & Tourism GDP is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.6%, significantly outpacing the wider global economy, which is forecast to expand by 2.4%.
According to WTTC’s research, Central and South America continue to benefit from resilient domestic travel demand and comparatively limited exposure to geopolitical disruption linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Affected transit routes and source markets play a smaller role in the region compared to other global destinations, helping sustain growth momentum.
Several countries across the region are forecast to post particularly strong Travel & Tourism performance in 2026.
Ecuador is expected to lead the region with Travel & Tourism GDP growth of 11.6%, while Bolivia is projected to expand by 10.3%, supported by a 25.8% surge in international visitor spending. Argentina’s sector is forecast to grow by 4.9%, while Colombia is projected to record growth of 5.7%, underscoring broad-based momentum across South America.
Brazil, one of the region’s largest Travel & Tourism markets, is also expected to continue growing in 2026, with sector GDP projected to increase by 2.1% and international visitor spending forecast to rise by 3%.
World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the Travel & Tourism sector globally.
WTTC data also points to remarkable momentum in Venezuela, where Travel & Tourism GDP is forecast to grow by 33.2% in 2026, alongside a 34.8% increase in international visitor spending.
Central America is also expected to deliver strong results. Guatemala’s Travel & Tourism GDP is forecast to grow by 6.1% next year, with international visitor spending projected to rise by 9.3%. In Panama, the sector is expected to expand by 8.4%, while international visitor spending is forecast to increase by 8.9%.
WTTC said continued investment in connectivity, destination infrastructure, traveler confidence, and workforce development will be critical to sustaining the region’s growth trajectory and maintaining competitiveness amid evolving global travel patterns.
The organization also highlighted affordability and stable travel environments as key drivers of resilience, while cautioning that inflationary pressures and weaker consumer sentiment remain downside risks in some markets.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said:
“Central and South America continues to emerge as one of the world’s most dynamic Travel & Tourism regions, with strong domestic demand, rising international spending, and growing traveler confidence supporting growth across many markets.
“Countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, Panama, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela are demonstrating the enormous potential of the sector when supported by investment, connectivity, and long-term strategic focus. The region has a real opportunity to strengthen its global competitiveness and secure sustained long-term growth.”
According to WTTC’s latest research, Travel & Tourism is forecast to support 18.5 million jobs across Central and South America in 2026, representing 8.3% of all jobs in the region.
WTTC’s Economic Impact Research is produced in partnership with Oxford Economics and is regarded as one of the world’s most authoritative datasets on the economic contribution of Travel & Tourism.
Forecasts for 2026 are based on current economic and geopolitical conditions at the time of publication and include assumptions related to inflation, energy prices, consumer demand, and regional geopolitical developments. WTTC noted that projections may change as global conditions evolve.
