Book Description

The travel and tourism industry is a major economic driver and job creator in this country. It generates trillions of dollars in economic output, making it our top services export, and supports more than 14 million American jobs. When international travelers come to the United States, they spend an average of $4,400 on food, lodging, transportation, and entertainment, which is directly infused into local economies. Over the past decade, international visitors to the United States have increased from 40 million to nearly 70 million. The United States holds the leading global share of international traveler spending. We are now seeing double digit growth in the number of visitors from China and Brazil, the only two countries in America's top 10 markets that are not members of the Visa Waiver Program. While international arrivals are increasing, our overall share of the global market is decreasing. This market is growing due to the rise of tourism and new emerging economies, so we must be proactive to grow our leading market share.