U.S. Travel & Tourism Grows While Cutting Emissions, WTTC reveals
WTTC’s latest Environmental & Social Research shows U.S. Travel & Tourism GDP grew by 1.8% annually while reducing greenhouse emissions by 1.7%, signaling decoupling
WTTC data shows U.S. tourism GDP grew 1.8% annually while emissions fell 1.7%, demonstrating successful economic-environmental decoupling.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today released new data showing that the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector continued to grow in 2024 while reducing greenhouse (GHG) emissions. This performance reflects encouraging progress as the sector works towards long-term sustainable growth.
According to WTTC’s latest Environmental & Social Research (ESR), the sector’s GDP increased by 1.8% per year, between 2019 and 2024, even as emissions declined by 1.7%, a development that demonstrates early decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.
Stronger Economic Performance Supported by Lower Emissions
According to the global body, the analysis shows a steady decline in emissions intensity, from 0.38kg of CO2e per USD of GDP in 2019, to 0.32 in 2024.
The share of low-carbon energy in the U.S. sector’s energy mix also improved last year, rising to 5.2% of total energy consumption from 5.1% in 2023, and above the 4.1% share recorded in 2019.
These results show that the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector is creating more economic value, with a nearly 2% annual growth in GDP, while progressively reducing its environmental footprint.
This is a very positive sign, and clear proof that U.S. Travel & Tourism can decouple growth from environmental impact. This positive trajectory matters both nationally and globally. As the world’s largest Travel & Tourism market, the U.S. has a unique opportunity to lead the global transition to a cleaner, more competitive future. Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim President & CEO
The report also offers insights into the composition of emissions within the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector. Total transportation, reflecting all travel modes linked to tourism, accounted for 54% of total emissions, compared to 40% at the global level, with utilities contributing a further 14%.
These figures emphasise the importance of continued investment in cleaner energy and sustainable fuels to support the sector’s long-term transition.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is receiving growing attention from major U.S. airlines which are making significant investments and long-term commitments to help expand future supply. While current volumes are limited and scaling SAF remains challenging, these efforts demonstrate leadership and ambition in moving the aviation sector toward a lower-carbon future.
A Positive Social Impact with Record Numbers
The research also highlights Travel & Tourism’s growing role in boosting social inclusion and creating jobs in the U.S., with record numbers of women and youth joining the workforce.
In 2024, the sector supported 9.5MN female workers, an increase of 170,000 workers (or 1.8%) from the previous year. Women accounted for 47.4% of direct Travel & Tourism jobs, closely aligned with the Americas regional average of 47.9%.
Youth employment (ages 15-24) also increased, rising from 3.5MN in 2023 to 3.54MN in 2024, a 1.1% year-over-year gain. Young workers made up 23.7% of direct Travel & Tourism employment in the U.S. last year, outpacing the regional average of 19.6%, and significantly higher youth share than the overall U.S. average of 13.1%.
The continued expansion of opportunities for women and young people reflects the sector’s broadening social impact and its contribution to inclusive economic growth.