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US Travel Association predicts $1 trillion spending on travel, appoints new CEO

June 23, 2022
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3 min read
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US Travel Association predicts $1 trillion spending on travel, appoints new CEO
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The U.S. Travel Association has a new leader just in time for the rebound in travel post-coronavirus. The lobbying firm that represents airlines, airports, hotels, theme parks and tourism groups announced it has appointed Geoff Freeman as its next CEO and president.

On Sept. 1, Freeman will rejoin the company after nearly a decade of leadership stints at other Washington, D.C.-based trade groups, including the American Gaming Association and the Consumer Brands Association, where he works currently.

“I am eager to get to work on behalf of this incredible industry, which has long held a special place for me," Freeman said in a statement. "There are few industries more essential to the nation’s economy, more connected to consumers and more critical to bringing Americans together than the travel industry. I believe U.S. Travel’s talented team can continue to raise the bar, and I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and get started.”

It comes as the current domestic travel surge has contributed to flight delays and cancellations as well as rising airfare and hotel prices; U.S. travel industry experts predict this trend will continue, fueled by pent-up demand to resume regular travel.

Findings from a 2022 travel forecast report predict travelers will spend more than $1 trillion on domestic and international travel this year, according to data collected by the U.S. Travel Association

Although the association estimates an uptick in domestic travel for the remainder of the year, forecasted spending remains lower than it was 2019, when travelers spent $1.17 trillion in total travel spending.

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Of the $1.05 trillion the report expects travelers to cumulatively spend this year, approximately $941 billion will be used for domestic trips; the remaining $109 billion will be used for international travel.

As countries lift strict entry requirements, companies have gradually begun to send employees on business trips; the U.S. Travel Association estimates $222 billion will be spent on business travel and the rest ($827 billion) on leisure travel.

Since the U.S. government dropped its predeparture COVID-19 testing requirement earlier this month, the travel association expects to see an 18% increase in travelers to the U.S., to the tune of 5.4 million visitors.

Read more: Your flight is canceled or delayed – here’s what you should do next

The incoming CEO is known for helping to craft the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 — the law that established the Corporation for Travel Promotion as a nonprofit tasked with promoting U.S. travel eligible for funding by the U.S. government. He also helped bring TSA PreCheck, the expedited security program, to life.

Despite the predicted upswing in travel, the travel association says 2023 will be "the year" when we see a marked effort toward pre-pandemic travel recovery.

“2023 is going to be the year," Roger Dow, the current president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said earlier this month. "Travel will be back and better than ever.”

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.