Tourism In the US is either the first, second or third largest employer in 29 states, employing 7.3 million in 2004, to take care of 1.19 billion trips tourists took in the US in 2005. As of 2008, the most visited tourist attraction in the US is Times Square in Manhattan, New York City which attracts approximately 35 million visitors yearly.
Generating nearly $1.3 trillion in economic output for the U.S. economy and supporting 8.2 million U.S. jobs, the industry is a key component of our nation’s economy.
“Today, one out of every 16 Americans work – either directly or indirectly – in travel and tourism-related industries,” according to Gary Locke, former Commerce Secretary.
We must make it simpler and streamlined for foreigners to visit America and engage in tourism.