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Travel demand facilitated by digital travel platform Booking.com supported €691bn (£595bn) in economic activity across Europe in 2025, according to research by Oxford Economics.
The study, unveiled at the VivaTech technology conference in Paris last week (18 June), detailed tourism’s contribution to employment and regional growth across the EU, the UK and Switzerland.
Visitors using the website spent €291bn (£250bn) during their trips, benefiting sectors including hospitality, transport and retail, while supporting 4.7 million jobs and €175bn (£150bn) in wages.
Oxford Economics’ findings highlight how digital platforms connect independent accommodation providers and small businesses to global demand, acting as a regional development engine.
Glenn Fogel, chief executive of Booking.com, said: “Travel is one of Europe’s most powerful economic drivers – and these findings show it. Millions of jobs, billions in tax revenues, and thousands of SMEs growing because our platform allows them to reach travellers from every corner of the world in a simple and highly cost efficient way.”
David Goodger, managing director for EMEA at Oxford Economics, added: “What stands out from the analysis is the breadth of economic activity linked to travel demand associated with Booking.com across Europe. The impacts extend well beyond accommodation, supporting jobs, wages, tax revenues, and business activity across retail, transport, food services, entertainment, and wider supply chains.”
