Just how BIG is the travel industry in America? This report from the Travel Industry Association attempts to break it down

Economic Research: Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism

In 2007, the U.S. travel industry received $739 billion from domestic and international travelers (excluding international passenger fares). These travel expenditures, in turn, directly generated more than nearly 7.7 million jobs with $186 billion in payroll income for Americans, as well as $116 billion tax revenue for federal, state and local governments.

Economic Impact of Travel in the U.S., 2007p (Including both U.S. resident and International Travel)
Travel Expenditures *	$739.4 Billion
Travel-Generated Payroll	$186.0 Billion
Travel-Generated Employment	7.7 Million Jobs
Travel-Generated Tax Revenue	$116.1 Billion
Travel Trade Surplus	$17.6 Billion

Source: Travel Industry Association, Bureau of Economic Analysis/U.S. Department of Commerce
* Includes spending by domestic and international travelers in the U.S. on travel related expenses (i.e., transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment & recreation, and incidental items); p=preliminary

Travel Expenditures in the U.S., 2000-2007p ($ Billions)
Year	Domestic*	International	Total	International Passenger Fares	Grand Total
2007	642.7	96.7	739.4	25.6	765.0
2006	614.1	85.7	699.8	22.0	721.8
2005	572.1	81.8	653.9	21.0	674.9
2004	532.4	74.5	606.9	18.9	625.8
2003	495.8	64.3	560.1	15.7	575.8
2002	478.3	66.6	544.9	17.0	561.9
2001	483.8	71.9	555.7	17.9	573.6
2000	503.4	82.4	585.8	20.7	606.5

International Visitors spent $122.3 billion traveling in the U.S. in 2007, including international passenger fares. U.S. resident travelers spent $104.6 billion while traveling in foreign countries during 2007. As a result, a travel trade surplus of $17.6 billion was generated. Click here for detailed data and analysis on travel economic impact.

Source: Travel Industry Association, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries /U.S. Department of Commerce
Note: * Spending by international visitors traveling to the U.S. on U.S. flag carriers that are made outside the U.S.

Updated on June 2008