What: Domestic Travel Has Returned to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Though Business and International Travel Sectors Continue to Stall
A new biannual forecast conducted by the U.S. Travel Association finds that domestic travel has returned to near pre-pandemic levels and is projected to continue leading the U.S. travel industry’s recovery in the short term.
U.S. Travel believes that this segment will surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2022 and beyond, while the international inbound and business travel sectors are not forecasted to make a full recovery until at least 2024 without the implementation of new policies.
Why It Matters: U.S. Travel Says Passing New Policies Is Critical for U.S. Travel Industry Recovery
According to U.S. Travel, new measures must be enacted for a more even recovery of the U.S. travel industry.
These include fully reopening and resuming visitor visa processing at U.S embassies and consulates; ensuring Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration officers are adequately resourced; passing the Restoring Brand USA Act to provide emergency relief funding to Brand USA; and enacting temporary tax credits to restore demand for in-person professional meetings and events.
We believe that the U.S. can implement smart, effective policies that bring back international visitors more quickly and spur business and professional travel to accelerate an economic and jobs rebound.
American travel advisors can help advocate for these changes by talking to their Congress members about these policies or by encouraging members of Congress to work with the Administration on enacting these policies.
In the meantime, travel advisors would be smart to continue focusing a portion of client efforts on the already thriving domestic leisure travel space, as it is only expected to grow.
Fast Facts: Domestic and International Inbound Travel Are Not Expected to Recover Until at Least 2024
- Domestic business travel spending is expected to reach 76% of 2019 levels in 2022, while the segment is not expected to fully recover until 2024.
- International inbound travel spending is forecasted to reach 72% of 2019 levels in 2022. The segment is not expected to fully recover until 2024 or 2025.
- The forecast analyzed data from the firm Tourism Economics.
What They Are Saying
“While we see much reason for optimism on the horizon, our forecast reveals that travel’s recovery is uneven, with much work ahead to ensure all segments reach pre-pandemic levels,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “We believe that the U.S. can implement smart, effective policies that bring back international visitors more quickly and spur business and professional travel to accelerate an economic and jobs rebound. Stabilizing policies can help ensure a more even recovery as we aim to restore the U.S. as the top destination in the world for global travelers.”
The Details
U.S. Travel Association
