Travel Powers the Economy, Builds Opportunity & Connects America
National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), held annually in May, shines a spotlight on the U.S. travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness.
"Travel is one of our nation's most powerful economic engines—supporting millions of jobs, fueling businesses and propelling industries forward,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “National Travel and Tourism Week reinforces the pivotal role travel plays in building a stronger, more prosperous America."
Since 1983, NTTW has underscored the travel industry’s contribution to U.S. economic strength, community vitality and quality of life. In 2024, the travel industry generated $2.9 trillion in economic output, supported more than 15 million jobs and produced $190 billion in tax revenue—equivalent to $1,490 per household.
In Oregon, economic impact findings this year demonstrated steady and significant growth in travel industry employment, which, coupled with an increase in average wages, led to higher annual employee earnings. Visitor spending also grew in 2023 – topping $14 billion for the first time in Oregon history – though the modest rate of year-over-year growth signifies a stabilization compared to the rapid rise in spending between 2021-2022 as the tourism industry emerged from the pandemic.
Residents of Oregon accounted for 36% of visitor spending in Oregon in 2023. U.S. residents of states other than Oregon accounted for approximately 59% while international visitors accounted for 4% of travel spending in the state. Learn more about the travel industry in Oregon at industry.traveloregon.com.
Bringing it closer to home, in Astoria and Warrenton in 2023, travel's impact on our local economy includes:
- About 22% of all Clatsop County travel impacts occur within Astoria and Warrenton.
- Visitor spending totaled $125.6 million, an increase of 3.1% compared to the previous year.
- This equates that visitors put $7,734 per resident back into our economy through direct travel spending.
- Travel-generated employment represents about 42% of all employment in Astoria and Warrenton. (4,249 jobs)
- There were 483,000 overnight person trips to Astoria and Warrenton in 2023.
- Approximately 49% of these overnight visitors stayed in hotels, motels or short-term vacation rentals. The other 51% stayed in second homes, campgrounds, or with friends and family.
- Each overnight visitor spent on average $85 per day, while visitors staying in hotels, motels or STVR spent on average $163 per day.
- $8.6 million in state and local taxes are generated by travel in Astoria and Warrenton, which is the equivalent of $1,268 per household in Astoria and Warrenton.
See the full Economic Impacts Report for Astoria and Warrenton, prepared by the Lower Columbia Tourism Committee at this LINK.
The Lower Columbia Tourism Committee is an independent committee formed as the Destination Marketing/Management Organization (DMO) for Astoria and Warrenton, It was established by a cooperative effort of both city governments with cooperation and participation by the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is the fiduciary entity, has two non-voting members on the committee, and provides resources and staff time to accomplish the work of the committee. Learn about the Lower Columbia Tourism Committee at travelastoria.com/LCTC.