The United States stands as the preferred destination for shopping enthusiasts, according to a report by the WTTC. Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, emphasized that for many people, shopping is a fundamental pleasure in life. Despite the pandemic's significant impact on the tourism and retail industries, as the world recovers, the report demonstrates how the shopping experience can become an appealing aspect for travelers.

During the recent Virtuoso Travel Week, a gathering of travel industry professionals held in Las Vegas, it was reaffirmed that the United States maintains its position as the favorite destination for shopping-oriented tourists. Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), highlighted the significance of retail tourism in the North American country.

Julia Simpson emphasized that retail tourism is a thriving and vital segment in the United States' travel and tourism industry. According to data shared by WTTC in collaboration with the Research Center for Hospitality and Tourism at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in partnership with The Bicester Collection, a joint report is expected to be published on September 7 during an event at La Roca Village, part of The Bicester Collection, in Barcelona, Spain.

The report reveals that in 2019, retail tourism generated a value of $178.2 billion, representing 6% of the Travel and Tourism sector. Furthermore, in some destinations, this figure can surpass 15%. Historically, retail tourism has been overlooked in previous research, leading to a lack of solid data for travel providers' strategic planning.

This latest WTTC report aims to fill that gap by providing detailed information about travelers' shopping habits, emerging trends in shopping tourism (such as a focus on sustainable commerce), and the potential this represents for both destinations and businesses.

The United States remains a leader in retail tourism, even amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, it contributed $34.7 billion to the GDP, and in 2020 and 2021, despite difficulties, it continued to grow with $17.5 billion and $23.9 billion respectively.

Julia Simpson underscores that for many people, shopping is a fundamental pleasure in life. While the pandemic heavily impacted the tourism and retail industries, as the world recovers, the report demonstrates how the shopping experience can become an attractive aspect for travelers.

The report also points out that governments that encourage retail tourism through duty-free shopping have experienced an increase in tourism revenue. In contrast, countries that have removed these facilities, such as the United Kingdom, have seen visitors flock to other destinations, depriving their economy of significant export revenues.

The upcoming WTTC report aims to provide a comprehensive view of retail tourism, addressing habits, trends, challenges, and opportunities. By engaging experts, academics, and industry professionals, it aims to offer a holistic perspective of this crucial market segment, including recommendations for both the public and private sectors to foster sustainable growth in this realm.

Virtuoso Travel Week, an event that gathers leaders from the luxury travel industry worldwide, has also endorsed this trend in retail tourism, enabling authentic and powerful engagement between professionals and sector suppliers.