Sustainable Travel and Tourism

A Sustainable Travel and Tourism Industry is a Resilient Travel and Tourism Industry

The National Travel and Tourism Strategy aims to seize a unique opportunity to rebuild a travel and tourism sector that is more resilient, sustainable, and equitable. A successful, sustainable travel and tourism industry depends on the health of U.S. natural and cultural resources, communities, and the U.S. economy. Integrating sustainable practices that promote environmental conservation and stewardship, and support of local and heritage communities is necessary to ensure long-term economic benefits that are resilient to shocks. If sustainably managed, travel and tourism can create revenue and incentives for conserving and preserving biodiversity and can serve as a reliable source of jobs and income for local communities.

- U.S. National Travel and Tourism Strategy

How the U.S. Government Works to Foster Resilient and Sustainable Travel and Tourism

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The National Travel and Tourism Strategy

In collaboration with private sector stakeholders, the National Travel and Tourism Office led the U.S. Government effort to develop the 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy (Strategy), which brings a whole-of-government approach to growing the U.S. economy through travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation, and to create a more resilient and sustainable travel and tourism sector.

Recognizing the importance of sustainability and combatting climate change for the global competitiveness and resiliency of the U.S. travel and tourism industry, one of the four pillars of the Strategy is Fostering Resilient and Sustainable Travel and Tourism, which sets the goals to:

Reduce travel and tourism’s contributions to climate change and build a travel and tourism sector that is resilient to natural disasters, public health threats, and the impacts of climate change; and
Build a sustainable sector that integrates protecting natural resources, supporting the tourism economy, and ensuring equitable development.

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Increasing Data on Sustainable Tourism

National Strategy to Develop Statistics for Environmental-Economic Decisions: This roadmap includes nature’s critical contributions to the U.S. economy, including tourism accounting. The statistics strategy recognizes that the nation’s economy and environment are deeply intertwined, and a strong economy depends on a stable climate, clean air and water, and all nature has to offer. It recommends including natural capital and other information organized in environmental-economics statistics into the existing Travel and Tourism Satellite Account (TTSA). The process is run out of the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.

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More Work Across the U.S. Government

Department of Transportation Climate Change Center

Department of Transportation Climate Action

NOAA Great Outdoors

EPA Recreation Economy for Rural Communities

U.S. EPA E3 Sustainability Tools

Department of Transportation Climate and Sustainability

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Highlighted Resources

Recreation.gov

This is the federal government’s centralized travel planning and reservation platform. This public program has grown and evolved since it was first conceived as an information sharing service in 1995. Recreation.gov is now the outdoor recreation system for 14 Federal agencies to support land management and enable visitors to discover and experience public lands and waters.

Plan Your Next Trip

America the Beautiful

This initiative recognizes the opportunities that America’s lands and waters offer and outlines a historic and ambitious challenge to conserve at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030. It calls for a decade-long effort to support locally led and voluntary conservation and restoration efforts across public, private, and Tribal lands and waters in order to create jobs and strengthen the economy’s foundation; tackle the climate and nature crises; and address inequitable access to the outdoors.

Explore How To Get Involved

Assessing the Impact of Rising Sea Levels on Travel and Tourism in APEC Economies

This report, led by the National Travel and Tourism Office in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Working Group, includes substantive research and analysis on sea level rise and extreme weather events, and the risks they pose to tourism businesses in APEC economies. The report serves to aim tourism businesses, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in preparing for sea level rise by:

Summarizing and sharing information on the effects of sea level rise and extreme storm events on tourism SMEs in APEC economies, and
Identifying and communicating innovative tools and best practices that tourism SMEs can learn to lessen the disruptions caused by sea level rise and extreme storm events.

Read the Full Report

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National Travel and Tourism Strategy

Discover more of the National Travel and Tourism Office’s efforts to support travel and tourism in the United States.

Explore the 2022-2026 National Travel and Tourism Strategy

Accessible Travel and Tourism

The U.S. government is committed to making travel more welcoming and inclusive for people with disabilities. While working to assist communities in providing accessible travel and tourism experiences that allow travelers to immerse themselves in the culture of the communities.

Learn More About Accessible Travel and Tourism

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