Among the countries for which data are available, the highest shares of tourism in total gross value added were observed in Croatia (11 percent), Portugal (8 percent), Spain (7 percent), Italy (6 percent) and Austria (5 percent). In absolute terms, the highest tourism direct gross value added was generated in Germany (EUR124 billion), followed by Italy (EUR100 billion) and France (EUR87 billion).

Based on 2020 data for around half of the EU countries, total direct gross value added dropped by EUR184 billion (32 percent compared with 2019) during the first year affected by the pandemic, causing a decrease in the share of the tourism sector in the economy (-1 percentage point). This drop at the annual level corresponded to EUR500 million less daily direct gross value added in 2020 compared with 2019.

The tourism sector's decline aligns with earlier national account estimates. In 2020, among the 64 industries in the economy, three of the four that experienced over 25 percent decrease in gross value added were tourism-related: travel services (-67 percent compared with 2019), air transport (-66 percent), and hospitality (-41 percent).