Where Travelers Spent $654 Billion

By Nick March 30, 2007

airplane flying The Travel Industry Association of America came out with their most recent report on American travel expenditures. In 2005 (Yeah, seems a year late to me too) American travelers spent $654 Billion here and abroad, and the total amount of economic activity related to traveling is $1.3 trillion. That’s a pretty decent chunk of change. The report has some pretty interesting statistics that are fun to know.

U.S. Travelers took 1.48 billion leisure trips domestically
U.S. travelers went abroad for leisure purposes 50 million times.
Americans traveling abroad spent $95 billion while international travelers spent about $103 billion in the US — A surplus?!? Now if only the rest of our GDP would follow.

“Another growing trend is toward “niche marketing” in travel, Staley said. The industry is moving away from “shotgun” style, one-size-fits-all marketing”

Very true. Niche travel blogs are becoming huge marketing arenas for the travel industry. Budget Globetrotting is included in this sector just a little bit, but if I could get more direct advertisers then I could safely call myself a player in niche marketing.

Two-thirds of international visitors to the US are worried they could face lengthy detention by U.S. officials when attempting to enter the country.
38 percent of American travelers would willingly pay more to travel companies to help them protect the environment
Only 4% of American households are ~~proud~~ owners of timeshares

I looked around the TIA website trying to find more of these facts, but I found that to view a full version of the “Domestic Travel Market Report,” it’s going to cost you. The entire manual is for sale, at $180 a pop for members, and $300 for non members.

Topics: Travel News |