Tourism Pays for the U.S.

When the travel industry thrives, America thrives.

The U.S. Travel Association (USTA) is the unique national organization that leverages the collective strength of those who benefit from travel to grow their business beyond what they can do individually. According to USTA, tourism is one of America's largest industries. 

The Economic Impact of the U.S Travel Industry

In 2024:

• Travel generated $1.3 trillion in spending and contributed $2.9 trillion in economic output.
• The travel industry accounted for 2.5% of the national GDP, demonstrating its significant role in the U.S. economy.
• Travel supported more than 15 million American jobs, with 8 million workers directly employed by the industry.
• Over 1 million job openings are expected in the travel sector by early 2025.
• Travel helped strengthen communities by generating $89 billion in state and local tax revenue.
• Total business travel accounted for $312 billion, showing an 85% recovery.
• Within business travel, transient travel totaled $186 billion (87% recovered) and meetings & events contributed $126 billion (82% recovered).
• International inbound travel spending reached $181 billion, with 83% recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels.
• Travel remains one of the United States’ largest exports, outpacing steel, aircraft and cars.

The economic impact of travel and tourism is broad. As business and leisure travelers plan their trips to different destinations around the U.S., they spend money that filters into dozens of businesses affiliated with the tourism industry. Whether traveling by plane, train, ship or automobile - travelers invest in industries that employ hundreds of thousands of personnel. The airline, automotive, rent-a-car and leisure transportation industries realize a direct benefit from travel - as well as supporting industries like oil and gas that provide the fuel for the vehicles, and companies that specialize in the manufacture or maintenance of airplanes, automobiles, and other transportation options.

Once travelers arrive at their destination, they spend money on lodging, restaurants and entertainment - funneling millions of dollars into the local economy by supporting local businesses and paying taxes that relieve the tax burden for local residents. These tax revenues are re-invested in local schools and infrastructure, benefitting residents. In addition to the jobs supported at the hotels and restaurants by visitors (hourly and salaried positions), leisure and business travelers also impact affiliated industries like local farms and service companies that provide produce and services to the restaurant and hotel industry. The power of travel can be seen throughout the local economy in hotels, restaurants, bars, farms and service companies across the country.