WTTC Projects Tourism to Add $206 Billion in Latin America, the Caribbean by 2035

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) released a major forecast estimating that Travel & Tourism will contribute $206 billion in additional economic value to Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) between now and 2035. The projection underscores tourism’s role as a long-term engine of regional development.

According to WTTC’s research, the sector already contributed US$714 billion to the region’s economy in 2024, representing 10% of LAC’s GDP and supporting more than 28 million jobs. The expected growth further cements tourism as a vital part of public-policy and economic planning in multiple countries.

Key enablers identified by the WTTC include enhanced digital connectivity, infrastructure resilience, access to finance, and regional cooperation — especially to support sustainable and inclusive tourism models. These priorities align with growing calls for climate adaptation and better credit access for small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises. 

The projections also emphasize talent development, climate-proof infrastructure, and business-environment reform. Destinations are being urged to invest in workforce training, digital transformation and transport modernization in order to capture the projected surge in visitor spending.

Public-private partnerships will play a critical role: the WTTC is coordinating with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to launch a “Tourism Task Force” that will craft policy recommendations and investment strategies for the coming decade. 

This forecast could reshape how governments in the region approach tourism: not just as a short-term revenue stream, but as a structural pillar of growth, employment and resilience.

If realized, the outlook is transformative. Tourism-driven growth could support millions of additional jobs, increase foreign exchange, and strengthen the region’s ability to fund sustainable infrastructure.