Why Travel Matters

Travel and tourism is...

One of America’s largest industries-

• Generated $1.8 trillion in ECONOMIC IMPACT with $759 billion spent directly by domestic and international travelers that spurred an additional $1 trillion in other industries.
• Directly generated $118 billion in TAX REVENUE for local, state and federal governments.
• Each household would pay $1,000 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 $2 billion a day, $86.6 million an hour, $1.4 million a minute, and $24,000 a second.

One of America’s largest service export-

• $134 billion in travel exports (including traveler spending in the U.S. and international passenger fare payments to U.S. carriers) and the...
• $103 billion in in travel imports (including U.S. residents' spending abroad and international passenger fares paid to foreign carriers) creates...
• $32 billion in BALANCE OF TRAVEL TRADE SURPLUS for the U.S.

One of America’s largest employer-

• Supported 14 million JOBS, including 7.4 million directly in the travel industry and 6.7 million in other industries.
• $188 billion in travel-generated PAYROLL for those employed directly in the travel industry.
• 1 of every 9 U.S. non-farm jobs is created directly or indirectly is induced by travel and tourism.
• Travel is among the TOP 10 INDUSTRIES in 48 states and D.C. in terms of employment. 

Destinations, Elevate. "Travel Matters: Making Meaning In Faraway Places." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 17 July 2012. Web. 08 May 2013.