Tourists are chanting USA! USA!
A new worldwide study of travel and tourism put the U.S. in the top slot, a $1.5 trillion bonus for the economy that edged out China.
The latest World Travel & Tourism Council report said that U.S. tourism also created 14 million jobs and over $200 billion in exports.
“U.S. tourism ranks No. 1 in the world for GDP contribution, and visitor exports,” said the report just released.
China came in second at $1.3 trillion, but it is catching up fast. And, said the group, China is likely to overtake the United States by 2028.
“The U.S. has long been a world leader in tourism and remains in the No. 1 spot for another year. Travel & tourism is vital for the U.S. economy, generating economic growth, employment and exports. Our research shows that travel & tourism supports nearly twice as many jobs as the banking sector, and six times more than the automotive manufacturing sector,” said Gloria Guevara, president WTTC.
However, she said that tourism grew slower in the U.S., at 2.3 percent, than in Europe and Canada.
“The data suggests that the U.S. is losing market share, as other countries are increasing their tourism at a faster rate,” she said, adding that it can keep its share high by maintaining the Visa Waiver program and expanding Global Entry.
