The United States will retain its status as the world’s largest travel and tourism economy in 2015 ahead of China and Germany, according to research published by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
In 2014, the sector contributed US$1,402 billion in GDP and 13.7 million jobs to the U.S. economy, WTTC reported, and during 2015, the sector’s GDP contribution is forecast to grow 3.1% and employment 1.7%.
By the end of 2015, the travel and tourism sector will contribute US$1,445 billion, 8% of U.S. GDP, and 13.9 million jobs, according to WTTC.
The United States continues to rank ahead of China, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom when measured by the economic contribution of travel and tourism to GDP.
“Success of the kind experienced by the U.S. does not happen by accident, and the country has taken great strides through visa liberalization and international markets in recent years to attract more overseas visitors, and to make those visitors feel welcome,” said David Scowsill, WTTC president and CEO. “However, there is still more that could be done, and I would urge the Obama administration to expand further the visa waiver program and to implement policies to address the future talent shortage in the sector.”
Scowsill noted that according to WTTC forecasts, travel and tourism has the potential to contribute 17.2 million jobs and 8.7% of GDP to the American economy by 2025.