Travel and Tourism – Big Business

Travel and business go together hand-in-hand. And, the economic impact helps maintain the local, state and national infrastructures.  And, jobs!  The amount of jobs impacted by the travel and tourism industry is amazing. Let’s take a look!

Leisure travel includes all non-business travel local, state-wide and around the world

In 2014 domestic and international travel generated $644.9 billion and $96.6 billion in tax revenue

Business travel is still a favorite option for achieving goals. Face-to-face meetings vs. virtual meetings continue to encourage team work and productivity.

More than 452 million business trips were taken during 2014.  Travelers spent $283 billion on domestic and international travel.  And, if you have wondered if all of that business travel is really worth it – for every dollar invested in business travel, businesses benefit from an average $9.50 in increased revenue and $2.90 in new profits.

And, taxes from business travel brought in $141.5 billion. Taxes from travel and tourism saves the average household $1,147 in taxes. Now that’s money we can use for our personal use – I say for your vacation.

Travel and tourism generate a large variety of job opportunities. Occupations which are directly and indirectly related to tourism.

Jobs definitely follow the money and tourism brings in the dollars.  Fifteen million jobs are supported through travel and tourism.

Check out these numbers:

• 220.3 billion is spent on food services
• 181.7 billion on lodging
• 175.6 billion on public transportation
• 94.7 billion on retail
• 92.7 billion on recreation and amusement

Cannon House in Macon, Georgia Photo credit: Macon CVB

In Georgia, my home state, tourism is the 5th largest employer with a total economic impact of $53.6 billion spent during 2013, supporting 411,000 jobs.  That’s 10.2% of all payroll employment in the state!

Several airlines operate through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International airport. Creating jobs which fuel the local economy indirectly.

 Delta Airlines is the 5th largest employer in the state.