Tourism in the United States
Tourism in the United States
is a large industry that serves millions of international and domestic
tourists yearly. Tourists visit the US to see natural wonders, cities,
historic landmarks, and entertainment venues. Americans seek similar
attractions, as well as recreation and vacation areas.
Tourism in the United States grew rapidly in the form of urban
tourism during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. By the
1850s, tourism in the United States was well established both as a
cultural activity and as an industry.
New York,
Chicago,
Boston,
Philadelphia,
Washington, D.C., and
San Francisco,
all major US cities, attracted a large number of tourists by the 1890s.
By 1915, city touring had marked significant shifts in the way
Americans perceived, organized, and moved.
Democratization of travel occurred during the early twentieth century when the automobile revolutionized travel. Similarly
air travel
revolutionized travel during 1945–1969, contributing greatly to tourism
in the United States. Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and
services by international visitors traveling in the United States
totaled $10.9 billion during February 2013.
[1]
In the US, tourism is either the first, second, or third largest employer in 29 states,
[which?]
employing 7.3 million in 2004, to take care of 1.19 billion trips
tourists took in the US in 2005. As of 2007, there are 2,462 registered
National Historic Landmarks (NHL) recognized by the
United States government. As of 2016,
Orlando is the most visited destination in the United States.
Tourists spend more money in the United States than any other
country, while attracting the second-highest number of tourists after
France.
[2] The discrepancy may be explained by longer stays in the US.
[2]