Positive signs for the sustainable development of American tourism are recorded in the new research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which shows that the sector in the United States continued to grow in 2024 while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the latest Environmental & Social Research (ESR) data, the sector’s GDP grew by 1.8% annually during 2019–2024, while emissions decreased by 1.7%. These figures indicate an initial “decoupling” between economic growth and environmental impact.
Reduction in emissions intensity – Strengthening clean energy use
The WTTC analysis shows a continuous decline in emissions intensity, from 0.38 kg CO₂e per dollar of GDP in 2019 to 0.32 kg in 2024. At the same time, the share of low-carbon energy in the sector’s energy mix improved, rising to 5.2% in 2024 from 5.1% in 2023 and significantly higher than 4.1% in 2019.
“The results prove that American tourism can generate increasing economic value while reducing its environmental impact. As the largest market globally, the U.S. has a unique opportunity to lead the transition toward a cleaner, more competitive future,” said Gloria Guevara, interim president and CEO of the WTTC.
The research also highlights the contribution of transport to the sector’s emissions, accounting for 54% of the total footprint — a share higher than the global average of 40% — while utilities represent an additional 14%. The WTTC underscores the need to increase investment in clean energy and sustainable fuels, particularly in aviation, where Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is gaining ground despite challenges in scaling up.
Strong social impact with employment growth
The WTTC also records significant progress on the social front, with the tourism sector strengthening employment for women and young people to record levels.
In 2024, the sector supported 9.5 million women workers — an increase of 170,000 compared with 2023 — with women accounting for 47.4% of direct jobs. Similarly, youth employment (aged 15–24) rose to 3.54 million, marking an annual increase of 1.1% and surpassing both the average for the Americas (19.6%) and the overall U.S. average (13.1%).
The increased participation of women and young people highlights the sector’s role as a driver of social inclusion and opportunity.
About the WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council represents the global private sector of Tourism, with members from 200 leading companies worldwide. For more than three decades, it has worked to promote sustainable and inclusive growth of the industry through partnerships with governments, destinations and local communities.
