According to the Travel Industry Association of America, travel and tourism is a $703 billion industry in the United States that has directly generated more than 7.5 million jobs. It ranks as the first-, second- or third-largest retail-sales industry in 29 states. Travel and tourism generates $104.9 billion in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments, with the restaurant industry accounting for the majority of this economic activity.

Travel and tourism is the nation's largest services export industry, the third-largest retail sales industry (following auto and food store sales) and one of the largest U.S. employers. The top tourism activities for domestic travelers include: (1) shopping; (2) attending a social/family event; and (3) outdoor activities. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, the top U.S. destinations in 2004 for traveling residents were: (1) California, (2) Florida, (3) Texas, (4) New York, (5) Pennsylvania, (6) Illinois, (7) Ohio, (8) North Carolina, (9) Georgia and (10) Virginia.

Market Trends

• Active Outdoor Recreation Economy Report, Outdoor Industry Foundation, 2006 - An executive summary of key consumer findings on outdoor activities by the Outdoor Industry Foundation.
• Aero-tourism. Landing on a Rural Opportunity, The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, 2001 - Aero-tourism describes getting pilots and passengers from a local airport to surrounding areas of interest. This study examined data on the number of airports, locations and airport transportation.
• Center for Hospitality Research, Cornell University - This university site offers research on hospitality issues.
• Consumer Expenditures, Bureau of Labor Statistics - Spending for entertainment is included.
• Economic Impact Data, Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
• E-Review of Tourism Research, eRTR, Texas A&M University.
• ETurboNews, Global Travel Industry News
• Fascinatin’ Factories, Farm Industry News, 2004 - Here’s a list of tours offered by U.S. farm equipment manufacturers.
• Heritage Tourism and the Federal Government: Summit II - The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation hosted a meeting of Federal agencies in 2003 to discuss cultural heritage tourism activities.
• Hospitality Trends - This Web site offers links on travel trends and related information. 
• Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing - The journal publishes articles related to marketing management practices, and government and business policies affecting travel and tourism marketing.
• National Household Travel Survey, U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics - This survey, conducted in 2001 by the Bureau of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, features data on long-distance and local travel by U.S. consumers.
• National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - This survey, last conducted in 2001, reports the amount of time and money people spend for fishing, hunting and wildlife watching.
• National Tour Association - This trade organization represents those involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry.
• North American Trade and Travel Trends, U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics - This document reports trends in U.S. international trade and passenger travel with Mexico and Canada.
• Office of Travel & Tourism Industries - This is the U.S. government’s official site, which provides statistics on inbound and outbound travel to the United States.
• Outdoor Recreation in America, American Recreation Coalition - This site offers research and statistics on U.S. recreation.
• Recreation, Tourism and Rural Well-Being, Economic Research Service, USDA, 2005.
• State by State Active Outdoor Recreation Economy Report, 2007, Outdoor Industry Foundation - This report assesses the economic contributions of the major forms of active outdoor recreation including fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing, for 21 states.  
• Tour America Map - See America.org. Select a state and be linked to the state’s tourism board. 
• Tourism and Community Development, Resources and Applied Research Clearinghouse, University of Wisconsin.
• Tourism Center, University of Minnesota.
• Tourism Resources, National Agricultural Library, Rural Information Center, USDA.
• Travel and Tourism Research Association - The international association of travel research and marketing professionals.
• Travel Statistics & Trends, Travel Industry Association of America - This association tracks travel indicators on a monthly basis and publishes reports on overall travel trends.
• United States Tour Operators Association - This site has an online quiz to determine your vacation personality. 
• World Tourism Organization - This international organization annually publishes market demand and tourism highlights.

Industry Structure

• Agricultural Tourism, University of California Small Farm Center - This site includes a review of agritourism in Great Britain and New England, and a database of agritourism operations.
• Nature-based Tourism and Agri Tourism Trends: Unlimited Opportunities, NRCS, USDA - This site gives an overview of agritourism and a listing of possible enterprises.

Revised April 2008.