How important is tourism to the United States?

Every year, the country's famous cities, national parks, and entertainment options attract millions of visitors from around the globe. Thanks to this influx of visitors and a boost in U.S. travel spending, the travel and tourism industry contributed nearly 900 billion U.S. dollars to the country's GDP in 2021.



People Also Ask

The U.S. travel and tourism industry generated $1.9 trillion in economic output; supporting 9.5 million American jobs and accounted for 2.9% of U.S. GDP.

MORE DETAILS

Tourism offers great opportunities for emerging economies and developing countries. It creates jobs, strengthens the local economy, contributes to local infrastructure development and can help to conserve the natural environment and cultural assets and traditions, and to reduce poverty and inequality.

MORE DETAILS

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 $81.0 billion, or 34 percent of 2019's total.

MORE DETAILS

Tourism started to become more popular after the Civil War, thanks largely to the development of railroads, though it remained an elite activity. Trains brought travelers to the Jersey Shore and the Florida Coast, and hotels blossomed from Coney Island to San Francisco.

MORE DETAILS

The United States ranks third with 45,037,000 visitors, known for its diverse landscapes and iconic cities.

MORE DETAILS

In 2022, the United States reported the highest total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP, with these industries generating, directly and indirectly, roughly two trillion U.S. dollars.

MORE DETAILS

Tourism offers great opportunities for emerging economies and developing countries. It creates jobs, strengthens the local economy, contributes to local infrastructure development and can help to conserve the natural environment and cultural assets and traditions, and to reduce poverty and inequality.

MORE DETAILS

1. New York City - 6,992,000. The bustling Times Square in New York City.

MORE DETAILS

Tourism Impacts. Tourism can generate positive or negative impacts under three main categories: economic, social, and environmental. These impacts are analyzed using data gathered by businesses, governments, and industry organizations.

MORE DETAILS

Positive social impacts in tourism include learning about different cultures, increasing tolerance and inclusion through LGBTQ+ travel, increasing amenities (e.g., parks, recreation facilities), investment in arts and culture, celebration of Indigenous peoples , and community pride.

MORE DETAILS