Travel for Good : The Global Impact of Travel and Tourism
- Kathie
- Nov 7, 2025
- 4 min read
Beyond the Crowds is part of the largest service industry in the world, an industry that
● Accounts for 1 in 10 jobs
● 10% of the world’s GDP
● Is valued at more than $11 trillion
Have you ever stopped to think that your favorite cruise, island escape, memorable local guide, or handcrafted trinkets at a bustling Italian market are all part of a multi-trillion dollar global ecosystem – one that powers economies, preserves cultures, drives sustainability, and touches nearly every community on Earth!? Your travel, and practically every activity connected with it, helps drive our global economy, preserve cultures, protect the environment, and spur employment.
This positive global impact of the travel industry recently became much more apparent to me after watching a recent episode of the Virtuoso podcast “The Lens.” I discovered just how much “good” travel and tourism – and my small role in it – can bring to the world. The podcast, hosted by Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew Upchurch, featured World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) CEO Julia Simpson, who spoke about the scale, purpose, and power of an industry worth over $11 trillion.
“This year, travel and tourism have reached a new milestone: supporting a staggering 360 million jobs worldwide. That means one out of every ten people you meet is part of this vibrant service industry, working right now to make travel’s magic happen every day. [And] the thing with travel and tourism is it’s very regenerative in a sustainable way. If you [stay at] a hotel or you have a cruise line, you will see that people will actively want your hotel and your assets to be not just protecting nature, but regenerating it.”
According to the WTTC, the travel and tourism sector this year is projected to represent 10% of the world’s GDP, making it not just the largest service industry, but one that’s growing twice as fast as the overall global economic growth rate. When you book travel through Beyond the Crowds, for example, you’re not just enjoying a cruise, taking a dream vacation, or creating holiday getaway memories. You’re helping to power local economies, support small businesses and artisans, protect the environment, and support the practice of destination stewardship: the pursuit of a net positive tourism ecosystem in alignment with shared community values. It’s what makes a place not only great to visit, but also to live, work, play and invest in.
From Global Brands to Local Folks
The WTTC also reminded me that, while big brand names in travel and cruise lines get most of the headlines, 80% of the travel industry is driven by small and medium-sized businesses. It’s also why I work so hard to create genuine “beyond the crowds” experiences. This means working with family-run tour companies, individual hotel operators, sustainable outfitters, local drivers, tour guides, and entrepreneurs who bring the most meaningful, memorable, and authentic moments to sustainable travel.
Travel booked today has ripple effects for years to come and can truly change the world. From the forests of Uganda (where gorilla trekking provides local jobs and funds conservation) to the bustling markets of Bangkok, the travel industry is actively working to protect and regenerate nature, foster cultural stewardship, and uplift entire communities.
The Global Impact of Travel
Ms. Simpson said so many people want to make a difference in the world, and through travel they have that opportunity. Tourism, for example, has been critical in helping to bring back the mountain gorilla from the brink of extinction and growing its population in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Forest.
“If you want to see a gorilla, it's going to cost you $1,500. They give 10% back to the farmers who previously were cutting down the forest, and they give 10% to the local economy to help them have schools. So you get complete buy-in by communities. So we are actively going out there and doing good…particularly in countries that have high populations of young people, they need real jobs. If I'm trekking through a forest, I'm not going to be doing that with a computer. I'm going to be doing that with a real, wonderful, local guide.”
The next time you or someone you know wonders about the environmental impact of travel or its carbon footprint, remember: travel is driving innovation in environmental protection for the global economy. And when done well, the money you spend on experiences creates a virtuous cycle, supporting local schools, businesses, conservation, infrastructure, and opportunity.
What a great reminder that your next trip is more than just a getaway. It’s a chance to be part of something bigger, wherever you go. Whether you’re seeking hidden gems, luxury escapes, cultural immersion, or adventure off the beaten path, you’re helping to shape a sector that sustains 360 million livelihoods and delivers tangible, long-lasting benefits for people and the planet.
About Beyond the Crowds and Virtuoso: Beyond the Crowds is a division of A Happy Place Travel, an Independent Affiliate of the luxury travel host agency Travel Experts, Inc. Travel Experts operates as a member of the Virtuoso network, a global consortium that connects top travel advisors with world-class travel suppliers.
About the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC): The WTTC has conducted research on the economic impact of travel and tourism in 184 countries – as well as issues such as overcrowding, taxation, policy-making, and many others – to raise awareness of the importance of the travel and tourism sector as one of the world’s largest and most important economic sectors.
Contributed by Dan Snyders