Peru’s tourism sector on track for historic record in 2025

International

According to the latest estimates by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Peru’s tourism sector is expected to reach an all-time high in 2025, generating over USD 23 billion and contributing 7.8% to the country’s GDP.

This represents a 5.2% increase over the sector’s contribution in 2019 and a 6.9% rise compared to 2024.

In addition to its projected record-breaking performance, domestic tourism spending in Peru is forecast to hit USD 12 billion by the end of 2025, marking a 6.5% year-on-year growth. International tourism is also expected to surpass USD 5 billion in spending this year, up 9.4% from 2024.

The WTTC’s Economic Impact Report, conducted in collaboration with Oxford Economics, also projects that the tourism sector in Peru will support 1.17 million jobs in 2025 – approximately 6.6% of the country’s total employment – reflecting an 8.4% increase over 2019 figures.

A look back at 2024

In 2024, Peru’s travel and tourism sector contributed USD 21.6 billion to GDP (7.5% of the total) and supported 1.11 million jobs (6.4% of total employment). International visitor spending reached USD 4.7 billion, an impressive 22% increase from 2023, while domestic tourism spending stood at USD 11.4 billion – up more than 9% year-on-year, reinforcing the strength of the domestic market.

Leisure travel accounted for more than 86% of total tourism spending, with business travel comprising 13.8%. The leading source markets were Chile (25%), the United States (18%), and Ecuador (8%).

Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC, commented:

“Peru is on its way to becoming a benchmark for global tourism. The resilience of its tourism sector is now translating into stronger economic development and job creation. With a clear focus on enhancing international connectivity and promoting diverse destinations and activities, Peru is positioning itself for a brighter future.”

Outlook to 2035

Looking ahead, the WTTC forecasts that by 2035, Peru’s travel and tourism sector will contribute USD 34.3 billion to the national economy, equivalent to 8.5% of GDP. Employment in the sector is expected to rise to 1.4 million jobs, with nearly 278,500 new positions created over the next decade.

International visitor spending could reach USD 9.4 billion by 2035, while domestic tourism spending is projected to exceed USD 16 billion – cementing tourism as one of Peru’s most dynamic and forward-looking industries.

Regional insights

In 2024, the travel and tourism sector in Central and South America contributed USD 358.7 billion to regional GDP, accounting for 7.5% of the total economy – more than 9% above 2019 levels. The sector supported 17.5 million jobs, representing 8% of all employment in the region, with year-on-year growth of 4.4%.

For 2025, the WTTC anticipates that travel and tourism will generate USD 372 billion in regional GDP (7.6% of the total) and support 18.2 million jobs, or 8.2% of the regional workforce.

For more information, visit the WTTC Research Hub.