WTTC launches modern wonders campaign to highlight tourism economics

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has opened nominations for the 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World, a year-long global initiative to identify modern landmarks built since 1801 that have reshaped the travel industry.

For European economies, the campaign highlights a familiar driver of regional growth: purpose-built cultural infrastructure. The WTTC pointed to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao as a primary example of how a single architectural project can completely alter a city's economic trajectory. The council argues that such projects redefine the future of destinations by attracting sustained international capital and spending.

Nominations will be evaluated on strict economic and social metrics alongside architectural merit. The criteria specifically weigh tourism contribution, direct economic impact, community value and broader destination development. This framework explicitly prioritises structures that act as a tangible financial force for their surrounding areas, rather than serving merely as aesthetic achievements.

“The most influential tourism assets do far more than attract visitors,” said Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC. “They create jobs, stimulate investment, support local businesses, strengthen communities and enhance the global profile of destinations.”

Guevara added that the WTTC wants to use the global campaign to demonstrate exactly how “visionary investments in tourism infrastructure and cultural assets can deliver lasting economic and social value for generations.” Established European landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, alongside newer projects like the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, were cited by the council as models of this long-term economic multiplier effect.

The selection process is structured around a prolonged public voting timeline to sustain engagement over the next two years. Nominations are currently open via the WTTC website. The initial field will narrow to 70 nominees on 7 January 2027, followed by a shortlist of 30 finalists on 7 April 2027. The final list of seven contemporary wonders will be revealed on 7 July 2027.

Both globally celebrated icons and lesser-known emerging landmarks are eligible for consideration, provided they are human-made and draw the world responsibly. “Wonder is not something humanity stopped creating centuries ago,” Guevara said. “Every generation leaves its mark on the world.”