US travel spend recovers to pre-Covid levels

The US Travel Association estimates $1.2 trillion was spent in 2022. However, sales are still driven mostly by domestic demand and when adjusted for inflation, overall travel spending was down 14% in 2022.

“Travel rebounded strongly in 2022 thanks to robust demand for domestic leisure travel,” said US Travel Association president and chief executive Geoff Freeman, who added: “Now we must focus on fully restoring the international and business travel segments to continue growing this critical driver of the US economy.”

Almost 15 million American workers depend on the industry for employment, with eight million directly employed by the travel industry. Travel generated nearly $160 billion in total tax revenue in 2022.

The Association this week met with members of Congress to call for lower visa waiting times and to fund the office of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism.

“Travel’s success is the nation’s success—these priorities are not just important to our industry, but to the future of the US economy,” added Freeman.