Business travel expected to increase incrementally in 2013
U.S. Travel Association, Washington, projects that business travel and other travel sectors will increase in 2013.
U.S. Travel forecasts business travel to increase nearly 1 percent. However, the number of business trips has grown steadily since the downturn in 2009 and is expected to see more positive growth in 2014.
Total domestic travel spending, including leisure and business travel, will increase 3 percent.
Total international inbound travel will increase 4 percent in 2013 while spending will grow 7.1 percent. International travelers now accounts for 15.1 percent of total travel spending in the U.S., up from 14.3 percent in 2011.
Overseas travel to the U.S. (excluding Canada and Mexico) will grow 4.3 percent, a slight decrease from last year’s growth of 4.8 percent. Overseas travelers contribute significantly more to the U.S. economy, spending an average of $4,300 per trip.
U.S. Travel says these gains will increase direct travel industry employment to more than 7.6 million jobs next year. Details: www.travelindustry.org.
