The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates the global tourism industry employs one in ten of the world’s working population.
WTTC’s Economic Impact report for 2017 showed tourism employment rose 3.3% last year and is the sixth year in a row tourism has exceeded world economy growth.
It generated an estimated $7.6 trillion worldwide, taking into account both direct and supplementary economic impact.
The travel and tourist industry supported 292 million jobs in 2016, the WTTC said.
Last year Southeast Asia generated the most new jobs with 8.3%, followed by South Asia (7.9%).
The Caribbean region added 3.2% more employment and 3.1% in North America.
"This is the sixth year in a row that tourism has outpaced the global economy, showing the sector’s resilience, and the eagerness of people to continue to travel and discover new places, despite economic and political challenges across the world," noted David Scowsill, president and CEO, WTTC.
The report says the industry is expected to grow by 3.8% in 2017 and in 10 years will account for 11% of world GDP, supporting 380 million jobs.
