Hotels support $211.2 billion of federal, state and local taxes. This is equivalent to $1,656 per US household annually. Hotel guests spent $691.2 billion at hotels and local businesses, and on transportation. Hotels purchased $119.2 billion in inputs from other US businesses.

The hotel industry is a massive pillar of the global economy, contributing roughly $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion to global GDP annually in the mid-2020s. Its impact is measured through "direct," "indirect," and "induced" spending. Directly, the industry provides millions of jobs, ranging from frontline service staff to corporate management; in the U.S. alone, hotels support over 8 million jobs (direct and supported). Indirectly, hotels drive billions in revenue for local supply chains, including food and beverage distributors, laundry services, and construction firms. "Induced" impact occurs when hotel employees spend their wages in the local economy. Furthermore, the industry is a significant source of tax revenue for local governments through "occupancy taxes" or "bed taxes," which are often used to fund public infrastructure, tourism marketing, and community projects. In 2026, the shift toward "sustainable" and "experiential" travel is driving new investments in green technology, further stimulating the tech and energy sectors. Without a robust hotel industry, the broader tourism ecosystem—including airlines and local attractions—would struggle to sustain the volume of travelers necessary for regional economic stability.