Central and South America Outpace Global Tourism: New WTTC Data Revealed

Central and South America enter 2026 as one of the world's most dynamic tourism regions. According to a new forecast by the World Travel & Tourism Council, released on May 28, the contribution of travel and tourism to the region's GDP will grow by 4.1%, while the global average is expected to be 3.2%. For travelers, this means more attention to Latin America, more active development of air connections, higher demand for hotels and tours, and for the market—increased competition between destinations that were recently perceived as niche or seasonal.

The news is important not only because of the growth percentage itself. In global tourism, several factors are currently acting simultaneously: geopolitical risks are changing routes, some travelers are reducing long-haul flights due to cost, and popular European destinations are facing overcrowding, strikes, and discussions about overtourism. Against this backdrop, countries of Central and South America have a chance to become a more noticeable alternative for tourists seeking nature, culture, gastronomy, and cities with character, while avoiding the most crowded routes.

What Exactly Does the WTTC Forecast?

According to the latest WTTC Economic Impact Research, the tourism GDP of Central and South America in 2026 will grow faster than the global average. The organization also expects that international visitor spending in the region will increase by 7.8%. This is more than twice the global forecast for the growth of international tourism spending, which is estimated at 3.7%.

On a global scale, the WTTC expects that travel and tourism in 2026 will contribute approximately $12 trillion to the global economy and provide 376 million jobs. This means Latin America is growing not in isolation, but within a broader industry recovery. At the same time, its pace stands out against other regions because it combines several strong drivers: domestic demand, growth in spending by foreign tourists, interest in new routes, and less dependence on those transit flows that were most affected by conflicts in the Middle East.

Additional context is provided by UN Tourism data: in 2025, international tourist arrivals worldwide reached approximately 1.52 billion, reaching a new record level. This shows that the overall demand for travel remains high, but is distributed unevenly. Some destinations have already returned to pre-crisis volumes, some are still catching up, and others, like Central and South America, are gaining space for faster growth thanks to a combination of price, authenticity, and new transport accessibility.

Which Countries May Grow the Fastest?

The most notable WTTC forecast concerns Ecuador: the country's tourism sector may grow by 11.6% in 2026. This is a high indicator for a market that combines several different tourism products—from the Galapagos Islands and the Andes to Quito, Cuenca, Amazonian routes, and the Pacific coast. For tourists, this means that Ecuador may be more actively promoted as a destination not only for ecological travel, but also for combined routes where several climatic and cultural zones can be seen in one trip.

Bolivia, according to the WTTC forecast, may show tourism GDP growth of 10.3%, and international visitor spending there may increase by 25.8%. This is particularly telling: Bolivia is not among the most mass-market destinations on the continent, but it has strong tourism magnets—the Uyuni salt flat, La Paz, Lake Titicaca, the Andes, colonial cities, and nature routes. If the forecast comes true, the country could become an example of how demand for less standardized travel turns into an economic result.

Among the larger and better-known markets, the WTTC highlights Colombia, where the tourism sector may grow by 5.7%, and Argentina with a forecast of 4.9%. For Colombia, this is a continuation of a multi-year reimagining of its tourism image: Bogota, Medellin, the Caribbean coast, the coffee region, and nature parks are increasingly appearing in foreign itineraries. Argentina, despite economic challenges, remains one of the strongest brands in South America thanks to Buenos Aires, Patagonia, wine regions, Iguazu, and domestic air routes.

Brazil, the largest tourism market in the region, is forecast by the WTTC to grow more moderately: tourism GDP may increase by 2.1%, and international visitor spending by 3%. Even such a pace is important because Brazil has a scale that affects the entire region: large air hubs, cruise potential, beach tourism, the Amazon, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, cultural events, and a domestic market that supports the industry during periods of external instability.

Central America is Also Gaining Ground

A separate block of the forecast concerns Central America. The WTTC expects that Guatemala's tourism sector in 2026 will grow by 6.1%, and international tourist spending by 9.3%. For a country with assets such as Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Mayan monuments, volcanoes, and cultural routes, this could mean increased interest in travel that combines nature and history.

Panama, according to the forecast, may show an even stronger result: tourism GDP at 8.4% and growth in international guest spending by 8.9%. The key advantage here is the country's role as an aviation hub between the Americas. Panama has long used its transit position, but the current tourism trend could push more travelers not just to transfer in the region, but to stay for a few days for urban, beach, or nature vacations.

Why the Region is Winning Now

The main reason for growth is not a single loud event, but a combination of factors. First, many countries in the region have strong domestic tourism. This is important because local and regional demand helps hotels, airlines, transport companies, and tour operators not to depend solely on distant international markets. When domestic demand is stable, a destination has more resources to develop infrastructure and service quality.

Second, the region is less dependent on routes and transit models that are currently feeling the most pressure from geopolitical conflicts. For some tourists, this makes Latin America a more understandable alternative: the flight may be long, but the route often does not require complex transits through high-risk zones. This is especially relevant for travelers from North America, for whom Central America, the Caribbean, and the north of South America remain relatively accessible in terms of flight time.

Third, a change in tourist tastes is working in the region's favor. After years of excessive pressure on classic European cities, more and more people are seeking routes where they can combine active recreation, local cuisine, natural landscapes, and a sense of discovery. Central and South America respond well to this demand, but at the same time require responsible planning: safety, rainy season, altitude above sea level, local transport conditions, and medical insurance are important.

What This Means for Travelers

For tourists, the main conclusion is simple: if Latin America is in the plans for 2026, delaying booking until the last moment may be less advantageous than before. The growth in international spending means that popular hotels, domestic flights, tours to natural monuments, and quality excursions may become more expensive faster than the average level. This especially applies to destinations with limited infrastructure, where the number of rooms in hotels or spots on organized tours cannot be quickly increased.

At the same time, the growth of the region does not mean that all countries are equally easy for independent travel. Before a trip, it is worth checking official entry rules, safety recommendations, vaccination or medical insurance requirements, and seasonality. For the Andes, altitude and adaptation are important; for the Amazon, weather conditions and logistics; for islands and national parks—limits on the number of visitors and the need for prior booking.

Another practical point is air connectivity. In the region, many routes are built through large hubs, so the difference between a convenient and a difficult journey often depends on the transfer. Tourists should compare not only the ticket price, but also the transfer time, the risk of an overnight wait, baggage rules on domestic flights, and the time buffer between international and local flights. The faster demand grows, the more important flexible fares and well-thought-out logistics will become.

What This Means for the Tourism Market

For airlines, hotel chains, tour operators, and online services, the WTTC forecast is a signal: Central and South America are no longer just recovering from crisis years, but could become one of the centers of future growth. The greatest opportunities open up where infrastructure keeps pace with demand: airports, domestic transport, digital services, safe urban routes, guide training, and quality information for foreign guests.

At the same time, rapid growth carries risks. If destinations focus only on the number of tourists, they may face overcrowding of natural territories, price increases for local residents, and uneven distribution of income. That is why the WTTC separately emphasizes the need for investments in competitiveness, infrastructure, human resource development, and a stable travel environment. For the region, this is a chance not just to accept more guests, but to build a more sustainable tourism model.

Conclusion

The new WTTC forecast shows that in 2026, the world tourism map may become noticeably more diverse. Central and South America have an advantage thanks to strong domestic demand, growth in international spending, a wealth of natural and cultural routes, and less dependence on the most problematic geopolitical transits. For travelers, this is a good moment to look at Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Argentina, Guatemala, Panama, and other destinations in the region. For business, it is a signal to invest in quality, accessibility, and trust, because these factors will determine who will turn current growth into a long-term tourism advantage.