Tourism as Trade: How Summer Travel Becomes a U.S. Export
Author: Emily Bradshaw, Office of Public Affairs
As international visitors arrive in the United States this summer, they are contributing directly to the U.S. economy through one of the country’s most valuable exports: tourism.
Yes, tourism is an export.
While traditionally associated with the shipment of goods like cars, steel products, and aircraft, exports also include services. When foreign visitors spend money on all their vacation needs, these transactions are counted as service exports. The tracking of international visitor arrivals, here to enjoy these exports, is administered by ITA through the I-94 International Arrivals Program.
How Does Tourism Qualify as an Export?
Exports are typically defined as goods or services produced domestically and consumed by foreign customers. In the case of tourism, although the service is delivered within the United States, it is still consumed by non-residents. As soon as a foreign visitor enters the country and starts spending U.S. dollars, their purchases contribute to U.S. export totals. Travel and tourism are critical drivers of economic growth and employment in the United States, accounting for 3% of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and supporting 10 million jobs.
Measuring the Impact: I-94 Arrivals Data
ITA tracks inbound travel through the I-94 arrivals program under the National Tourism and Travel Office. This program records foreign visitor data such as country of origin, arrival mode (air, land, or sea), visa type, age, and port of entry. Over 72 million international visitors traveled to the United States in 2024, with the highest number of travelers (7.5 million) in August. Each one of these travelers consumes American services such as airlines, car rentals, fine dining, hotels, shopping, and more.
Why Summer Matters
Summer is peak travel season for many U.S. destinations including beaches, national parks, and major cities. This seasonal surge has a ripple effect with the coinciding boost in spending that tourists bring.
For many communities in the United States, international summer travelers are a critical source of income.
Tourism in the Context of Global Trade
Treating tourism as an export reshapes how it is considered within economic policy. It is not merely a leisure activity; it is a key pillar of U.S. trade strategy. Supporting inbound tourism means strengthening export revenue, reducing the trade deficit, and creating jobs across all regions of the country.
Each summer, as millions of travelers cross U.S. borders, their spending generates significant economic value. Thanks to systems like the I-94 Arrivals Program, the U.S. can track and quantify this impact and critical role in international trade.
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