Why Travel Matters

Travel and tourism is...

One of America’s largest industries (2009 data)

• $704 billion in direct TRAVEL EXPENDITURES by domestic and international travelers.
• $1.2 trillion in direct, indirect and induced TOURISM-RELATED OUTPUT.
• $113 billion in TAX REVENUE for local, state and federal governments generated by direct travel expenditures.
• Each U.S. household would pay $950 MORE IN TAXES without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry.
• Direct spending by resident and international travelers in the U.S. averages $1.9 billion a day, $80 million an hour, $1.3 million a minute, and $22,300 a second.

One of America’s largest employers (2009 data)

• 7.4 million direct travel-generated JOBS.
• $186 billion travel-generated PAYROLL.
• 10.1 Million American workers are directly and indirectly employed by travel.
• 1 of every 9 U.S. non-farm JOBS is created directly or indirectly or is induced by travel and tourism.
• Travel is amon gthe TOP 10 INDUSTRIES in 48 states and the District of Columbia in terms of employment.

One of America’s largest service exports (2009 data)

• $121.1 billion spent by international visitors in the U.S. and the . . .
• $99.1 billion spent outside the U.S. by U.S.residents creates . . .
• $22.0 billion in BALANCE OF TRAVEL TRADE SURPLUS for the U.S.