Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

WTTC: U.S. to lose $155 billion in international visits

COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on travel and lodging industry can cost 12.1 million jobs

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ESSENTIALLY crashed when the COVID-19 pandemic flew around the world, closing economies in its wake. Now the U.S. economy stands to lose $155 billion as a result of that sudden, steep decline in foreign visitors, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

International visitor spending may drop 79 percent this year as a result of the pandemic, according to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report. That equals a loss of $425 million a day, or nearly $3 billion a week, to the country’s economy. The loss in revenue can lead to a loss of 12.1 million travel and tourism jobs in WTTC’s worst case scenario.


This year’s losses compare to the $1.8 trillion generated by the travel industry in 2019, which was 9 percent of the American economy. That supported 16.8 million jobs or 10.7 percent of the country’s total workforce.

“The economic pain and suffering caused to millions of households across the U.S, who are dependent upon travel and tourism for their livelihoods, is evident from our latest shocking figures,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO. “The lack of international visitors to the U.S. due to the pandemic could … threaten New York’s position as one of the world’s premier hubs for business and leisure travel.”

Guevara called for a global approach to solving the pandemic in order to save the industry.

“International coordination to re-establish transatlantic travel would provide a boost for the travel and tourism sector. It would benefit airlines and hotels, travel agents and tour operators and revitalize the millions of jobs in the supply chain which are dependent upon international travel across the Atlantic,” she said. “We urgently need to replace blanket quarantine measures with rapid, comprehensive and cost-effective test and trace programs at departure points across the country. This investment will be significantly less than the impact of blunt quarantines which have devastating and far-reaching socio-economic consequences.”

Between 2016 and 2018, Canada and Mexico were the largest inbound source markets for the U.S. as a whole, making up 26 percent and 24 percent of all international arrivals. The U.K. was third for the nation as a whole, accounting for 6 percent of that total, but it was the main source for New York City, making up 9 percent of the market for that city.

New York received 45 percent of its tourism spending from international travelers.

“The loss of this international visitor spending could have a profound long-term impact on New York for many years to come,” the WTTC report said.

The COVID-19 pandemic began affecting international travel to the U.S. as early as February. At that time, virus related international travel restrictions were starting but combined with President Trump’s ban on travel from other countries, such as Iran, Syria and Venezuela, for security reasons.

More for you

U.S. Firms Lose $2.4 Trillion by Skimping on Business Travel

Report: Business travel gaps cost U.S. firms $2.4T

Summary:

  • U.S. companies risk losing more than $2.4 trillion in sales due to underinvestment in business travel, says GBTA.
  • An 8.3 percent T&E increase could drive a 6 percent sales gain, despite post-COVID virtual meeting tools.
  • Current T&E spending is $294 billion—$24 billion short of the $319.1 billion needed for peak profitability.

U.S. COMPANIES ARE missing more than $2.4 trillion in potential sales due to underinvestment in business travel, according to a Global Business Travel Association report. Despite a post-pandemic rebound, travel and entertainment spending remains $66 billion below 2019 levels.

Keep ReadingShow less
International bookings drop at US mountain hotels; occupancy dips despite rate hikes, DestiMetrics reports

Report: Travel decline weighs on western resorts

Summary:

  • International tourism to U.S. western mountain destinations fell in May, lowering occupancy 0.7 percent, according to DestiMetrics.
  • Summer booking hesitancy persisted as bookings from Canada, Europe and Mexico declined.
  • DestiMetrics tracks data from about 28,000 lodging units across 17 mountain destinations in seven western states.

MOUNTAIN DESTINATIONS IN the western U.S. saw a drop in international tourism in May amid economic uncertainty, affecting resort occupancy, according to DestiMetrics. ADR rose 2 percent, while occupancy fell 0.7 percent year over year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salamander D.C. Joins Preferred Hotels’ Legend Collection
Photo credit: Salamander Collection

Salamander D.C. joins Preferred’s Legend Collection

Summary:

  • The 373-key Salamander Washington, D.C. joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection after a full renovation.
  • The hotel is part of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, led by founder and CEO Sheila Johnson.
  • Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the largest independent hotel brand, with more than 600 properties in 80 countries.

SALAMANDER WASHINGTON, D.C., located on the city’s southwest waterfront, joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection. The 373-room hotel recently completed a property-wide renovation that includes updated communal spaces, redesigned guest suites, a two-level Salamander Spa and Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi.

Keep ReadingShow less
WTH Conference Returns to Los Angeles July 17

WTH conference returns to L.A. on July 17

Summary:

  • The 2025 Women in Travel & Hospitality Conference returns to Los Angeles on July 17.
  • The event gathers women in travel, tourism, hospitality, investment, wellness, and lifestyle.
  • It also will mark the launch of the new Travel Industry Executive Women’s Network website.

THE 2025 WOMEN in Travel & Hospitality Conference, hosted by the Travel Industry Executive Women’s Network and supported by the Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association, will return to Los Angeles, California, on July 17. The event brings together women from around the world working in travel, tourism, hospitality, investment, wellness and lifestyle.

Keep ReadingShow less
ExStay Washington DC

Third regional ExStay workshop set for D.C.

Summary:

  • ESLA and Kalibri will hold the third ExStay workshop on July 30 in Washington, D.C., following sessions in Atlanta and Dallas.
  • The event will feature experts from brands, operators, data firms and advisory groups.
  • Sessions will cover investment and include Q&As on developing, renovating, converting and operating extended stay assets.

THE EXTENDED STAY Lodging Association and Kalibri Labs will host the third quarterly ExStay workshop on July 30 in Washington, D.C., following earlier sessions in Atlanta and Dallas. The event will bring together extended stay lodging executives for networking.

Keep ReadingShow less