National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), now in its 33rd year, is an annual salute to travel in the United States. On the heels of Global Meetings Industry Day, NTTW champions the power and enduring significance of travel to the U.S. economy.
Throughout the week, industry professionals have promoted the contributions they make each and every day, by organizing local rallies, proclamations, resolutions from local governments, and more.
In honor of NTTW – and all the people working to make this week a success – here’s a look at the impact of travel, by the numbers.
$2.6 billion
The daily average of direct spending by resident and international travelers across the U.S. This equates to $1.8 million per minute!
$2.1 trillion
The total economic output generated by domestic and international visitors. This includes $947.1 billion in direct travel expenditures that spurred an additional $1.2 trillion in industries other than travel.
15.1 million
The number of jobs supported by travel expenditures, including 8.1 million directly in the travel industry and 7.0 million in other industries.
$231.6 billion
The total wages shared by American workers directly employed by travel.
$147.9 billion
The estimated tax revenue generated by travel spending for federal, state and local governments.
2.7%
The percentage of nation’s gross domestic product attributed to travel and tourism.
2.2 billion
The number of one-way trips that Americans took for business or leisure in 2015. This number includes trips taken by one person on a trip away from home overnight in paid accommodations or on a day or overnight trip to places 50 miles or more away from home.
400
The number of U.S. cities staging major events to celebrate the impact of travel during NTTW. Events include: a parade through the French Quarter in New Orleans; the first-ever National Tourism Summit in Wisconsin; and a rally in front of Independence Hall, with Philadelphia hospitality leaders and Mayor Jim Kenney.
For more information on NTTW activities or the value of travel to the U.S. economy, please visit USTravel.org/NTTW.