Travel and tourism is a critical driver of economic growth and employment in the United States and integral to the United States’ unmatched cultural reach. Supporting some 9.5 million American jobs through $1.9 trillion of economic activity, travel and tourism is an engine of prosperity and opportunity in communities across the country – from the bright lights and bustling streets of the nation’s iconic cities to the placid wonder of its national parks to the dynamism and depth of its emerging destinations.
Whether touring for pleasure, visiting friends and family, or conducting business, millions visit the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia each year drawn by the promise of unrivaled destinations and experiences. Whether exploring natural wonders, discovering the United States’ cultural heritage, or immersing themselves in what makes this nation unique, these visitors bring an immense economic benefit to the United States. Approximately 1 in every 20 jobs in the United States relies directly or indirectly on travel and tourism. These jobs can be found in industries such as accommodations, food services, arts, entertainment, recreation, attractions, transportation, and education. But travel and tourism is so much more than the United States’ top services export. What visitors take home with them when they leave is just as important as the jobs and growth their visits create.
The United States has long been a top destination for global travel and tourism. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, 79.4 million international visitors came to the United States and contributed $239.4 billion to the U.S. economy, making the United States the global leader in revenue from international travel and tourism. As the top services export for the United States that year, travel and tourism generated a $53.4 billion trade surplus.
The travel and tourism industry, however, was one of the hardest hit sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent health and travel restrictions. As a result, travel exports decreased nearly 65 percent from 2019 to 2020. The decline in travel and tourism contributed heavily to unemployment. Leisure and hospitality lost 8.2 million jobs between February and April 2020 alone, accounting for 37.3 percent of the decline in overall nonfarm employment during this period.
The Biden-Harris Administration has taken important steps to support travel and tourism, as well as the families and communities that rely on the industry. By 2021, the rollout of vaccines and lifting of international and domestic restrictions allowed travel and tourism to begin its recovery. International arrivals to the United States grew to 22.1 million in 2021, up from 19.2 million in 2020. Spending by international visitors also grew, reaching $81 billion or 34 percent of the total in 2019.
The industry’s nascent recovery is encouraging, but it is just the start. The federal government must do more to support the resurgence of travel and tourism to ensure the industry rebuilds to be more resilient, sustainable, and equitable, and to ensure the economic benefits of travel and tourism reach communities of all sizes and locations across the United States. The Strategy establishes an overarching goal of increasing American jobs by attracting and welcoming 90 million international visitors, who we estimate will spend $279 billion annually by 2027.
The Strategy focuses U.S. government efforts to promote our nation as a premier destination grounded in the breadth and diversity of its communities, and to foster a travel and tourism sector that drives economic growth, creates good jobs, and bolsters conservation and sustainability. Drawing on engagement and capabilities from across the federal government, the Strategy aims to increase not only the volume but also the value of tourism.
In addition to increasing international visitation and spending, the Strategy advances other priorities for the travel and tourism sector, from investing in technology to reducing emissions and fostering an ethos of conservation across the industry, including in transportation infrastructure and traveler behavior. The Strategy also applies a holistic approach to tourism development, including incorporating sustainability- and community-based development and management strategies. This approach seeks to foster growth while addressing the challenges that accompany it, including limited destination carrying capacity and the impact on the United States’ natural and cultural resources.
The Strategy is divided into four pillars, each with its own goal:
To achieve these goals, federal agencies must continue to make travel and tourism a priority and work closely with the private sector. Together we will advance economic opportunity and job creation in the travel and tourism industry.
Travel and tourism is a critical driver of economic growth and employment in the United States and integral to the United States’ unmatched cultural reach. Supporting some 9.5 million American jobs through $1.9 trillion of economic activity, travel and tourism is an engine of prosperity and opportunity in communities across the country – from the bright lights and bustling streets of the nation’s iconic cities to the placid wonder of its national parks to the dynamism and depth of its emerging destinations.
Whether touring for pleasure, visiting friends and family, or conducting business, millions visit the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia each year drawn by the promise of unrivaled destinations and experiences. Whether exploring natural wonders, discovering the United States’ cultural heritage, or immersing themselves in what makes this nation unique, these visitors bring an immense economic benefit to the United States. Approximately 1 in every 20 jobs in the United States relies directly or indirectly on travel and tourism. These jobs can be found in industries such as accommodations, food services, arts, entertainment, recreation, attractions, transportation, and education. But travel and tourism is so much more than the United States’ top services export. What visitors take home with them when they leave is just as important as the jobs and growth their visits create.
The United States has long been a top destination for global travel and tourism. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, 79.4 million international visitors came to the United States and contributed $239.4 billion to the U.S. economy, making the United States the global leader in revenue from international travel and tourism. As the top services export for the United States that year, travel and tourism generated a $53.4 billion trade surplus.
The travel and tourism industry, however, was one of the hardest hit sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent health and travel restrictions. As a result, travel exports decreased nearly 65 percent from 2019 to 2020. The decline in travel and tourism contributed heavily to unemployment. Leisure and hospitality lost 8.2 million jobs between February and April 2020 alone, accounting for 37.3 percent of the decline in overall nonfarm employment during this period.
The Biden-Harris Administration has taken important steps to support travel and tourism, as well as the families and communities that rely on the industry. By 2021, the rollout of vaccines and lifting of international and domestic restrictions allowed travel and tourism to begin its recovery. International arrivals to the United States grew to 22.1 million in 2021, up from 19.2 million in 2020. Spending by international visitors also grew, reaching $81 billion or 34 percent of the total in 2019.
The industry’s nascent recovery is encouraging, but it is just the start. The federal government must do more to support the resurgence of travel and tourism to ensure the industry rebuilds to be more resilient, sustainable, and equitable, and to ensure the economic benefits of travel and tourism reach communities of all sizes and locations across the United States. The Strategy establishes an overarching goal of increasing American jobs by attracting and welcoming 90 million international visitors, who we estimate will spend $279 billion annually by 2027.
The Strategy focuses U.S. government efforts to promote our nation as a premier destination grounded in the breadth and diversity of its communities, and to foster a travel and tourism sector that drives economic growth, creates good jobs, and bolsters conservation and sustainability. Drawing on engagement and capabilities from across the federal government, the Strategy aims to increase not only the volume but also the value of tourism.
In addition to increasing international visitation and spending, the Strategy advances other priorities for the travel and tourism sector, from investing in technology to reducing emissions and fostering an ethos of conservation across the industry, including in transportation infrastructure and traveler behavior. The Strategy also applies a holistic approach to tourism development, including incorporating sustainability- and community-based development and management strategies. This approach seeks to foster growth while addressing the challenges that accompany it, including limited destination carrying capacity and the impact on the United States’ natural and cultural resources.
The Strategy is divided into four pillars, each with its own goal:
To achieve these goals, federal agencies must continue to make travel and tourism a priority and work closely with the private sector. Together we will advance economic opportunity and job creation in the travel and tourism industry.
.webp)