Tourism Pays for the U.S.

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.

• Total of $2.6 trillion in direct, indirect and induced travel-related output, of which $1.1 trillion is direct spending by domestic and international travelers.
• $179.7 billion in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments generated by the travel and tourism industry.
• Each U.S. household would pay $1,398 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. averaged $3.1 billion a day, $128.6 million an hour, $2.1 million a minute and $35,700 a second.
• 15.8 million jobs are supported by travel spending.
• For more facts about the travel impacts to the US economy, click here.

Travel Exports illustrates how travel outperforms other U.S. exports, produces consistent trade surpluses, and generates jobs for the U.S. economy. To learn more, click here.

The Power of Travel Promotion report provides valuable ammunition to inform elected officials on the value of travel and tourism and how travel promotion strengthens economic vitality. Read the full report here.

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.