The total number of travel-supported jobs fell by 34%, from 17 million in 2019 to just 11 million in 2020. Prior to the pandemic, total travel-supported jobs accounted for 11% of the U.S. workforce, but in 2020, total travel-supported jobs accounted for a staggering 65% of unemployment. The coronavirus public health crisis has taken a devastating toll on the travel industry, and as one of the hardest-hit industries, travel and tourism must be top of mind for lawmakers as they consider economic relief packages.
Travel spending is down nearly $500 billion, costing the U.S. economy $1.1 trillion in economic output. The industry is not expected to recover until 2025. With additional relief and stimulus measures that will drive travel demand, the travel industry can help fuel America's economic and jobs recovery.
- Analysis: Travel Industry Employment through January 2021
- Fact Sheet: Travel's Dramatic Losses in 2020
- Press Release: Travel-Related Unemployment Hits 51% Ahead of Memorial Day
- Video: Restore the Economy by Restoring Travel
Assessing Recovery Webinar Series: This monthly webinar series looks at a different aspect of the recovery of the travel and tourism industry and the broader economy. Watch past recordings, download recent slides and register for upcoming webinars here.
NEW: Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health and Safety of All Travelers
Related Webinars:
- Exploring the Impact of the COVID-19 Vaccine on the Recovery of Travel | Recording and Slides (January 21, 2021)
- The Role of COVID-19 Testing in the Recovery of Travel | Recording and Slides (November 12, 2020)
- Assessing Uncertainty Through Safety: New Guidance for the Travel Industry | Recording and slides. (May 7, 2020)
Looking for ways to encourage visitors to follow best practices for health and safety? Resources are added regularly to our #TravelConfidently Toolkit.
Use the below materials to inform your communications with your members of Congress and help the travel industry speak with a united voice.
- NEW: Policies to Restore the Travel Economy (February 2021)
- Coronavirus Relief Bill Summary (December 2020)
- Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act of 2020 Summary (April 2020)
- CARES Act Summary for Travel Businesses (March 2020)
Letters Sent to Congress and Administration (2020-2021)
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- Industry Letter in Support of the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act (February 25)
- Letter to Administration on Domestic Testing from Aviation Groups (February 9)
- Aviation Group Letter to the COVID-19 Recovery Team on Executive Orders (January 29)
- U.S. Travel Letter to Treasury and SBA on PPP Guidance for DMOs (December 29)
- COVID RELIEF NOW Coalition Joint Letter to Congressional Leadership (December 1)
- Industry Letter in Support of Visit America Act (November 20)
- U.S. Travel Letter to President Trump on CRF Extension (November 19)
- Coalition for Safe Alternatives to Quarantines Letter to HHS, DOT and DHS (October 22)
- Travel Industry CEO Joint Statement (October 1)
- COVID RELIEF NOW Coalition Letter to Congressional Leadership (September 30)
- Letter from Florida and Maryland Businesses to Senators Rubio and Cardin on PPP Modifications (July 17)
- U.S. Travel Letter to Secretary Mnuchin and Congressional Leadership on the Industry's Priorities for Phase 4 Relief Legislation (July 17)
- DMO Sign On Letter on PPP Modifications to the Administration and Congressional Leadership (July 17)
- Senate Letter to Congressional Leadership Requesting Additional EDA Grants for Tourism (June 29)
- U.S. Travel Letter to Secretary Mnuchin and the Federal Reserve on the Main Street Lending Program (June 22)
- DMO Sign On Letter on PPP Modifications to Congressional Leadership and Secretary Mnuchin (May 28)
- U.S. Travel letter to Congressional Leadership and Secretary Mnuchin on PPP Modifications (May 28)
- Letter from Bipartisan New York Delegation to Congressional Leadership in Support of Travel and Tourism (May 20)
- Joint Association Letter to Congressional Leadership on Liability (May 11)
- Letter to President Trump Sharing Travel Industry Health and Safety Guidance (May 4)
- Travel Industry Health and Safety Guidance Letter to All Governors (May 4)
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Relief Letter to Small Business Association (April 29)
- Updated DMO Sign On Letter to Congressional Leadership and Secretary Mnuchin (April 28)
- House Dear Colleague Letter in Support of DMOs (April 16)
- DMO Sign On Letter to Congressional Leadership (April 8)
- Association Questions for Small Business Administration and the Department of Treasury (April 2)
- Association Letter to the Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve (March 31)
- Toolkit: Travel Industry Relief Resources
- Toolkit: Power of Travel Coalition Advocacy Resources
- Toolkit: Travel Confidently
- Toolkit: Let's Go There
- Toolkit: COVID-19 Travel Industry Research
- Toolkit: COVID-19 Resources for Destinations
- Playbook: Crisis Readiness and Response
Page last updated March 18, 2021
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