U.S. Travel Industry’s Sustainable Growth and Declining Emissions

Published on December 5, 2025

While​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ reducing its environmental impact, the U.S. travel and tourism industry is indicating some good signs of growth. The USA travel-sector GDP, as per recent data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), has grown annually by 1.8 percent from 2019 to 2024. Emissions of greenhouse gases have gone down by 1.7 percent over this time, marking a move in the right direction for ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌sustainability.

Positive Shift in Industry Growth and Sustainability

This shift reflects the industry’s increasing focus on sustainable practices, particularly in reducing its carbon footprint. While the travel sector’s GDP continues to grow, emissions are on the decline. This decoupling of growth from environmental harm positions the U.S. as a global leader in sustainable tourism and travel practices.

U.S. Travel’s Carbon Footprint

Transportation remains the largest contributor to emissions in the U.S. travel industry. Buses, trains, and airplanes account for 54 percent of the sector’s emissions. Additionally, fossil fuel-based utilities contribute 14 percent of the emissions, while the remaining emissions stem from manufacturing, agriculture, and other sources.

Low Carbon Energy Usage Lags Behind

The use of low-carbon energy in the U.S. travel industry has remained stagnant at around 5.2 percent since 2022. This is well below the global average, highlighting the ongoing challenge the U.S. faces in adopting renewable energy sources. To meet sustainability goals, the country needs to invest in cleaner energy and greener travel solutions.

Job Creation in the Travel Industry

The U.S. travel and tourism industry also continues to create significant job opportunities, particularly for women and young adults. In 2024, nearly 9.5 million women worked in the industry, representing 47.4 percent of total industry jobs. This figure exceeds the national average for female employment, which stands at 45.6 percent.

Young Adults’ Increasing Role in Travel Employment

Youth employment in the travel industry has also seen positive growth. In 2024, over 3.5 million young adults aged 15 to 24 were employed in travel and tourism. This group now accounts for 23.7 percent of industry jobs, far outpacing the national average of 13.1 percent.

Challenges in High-Wage Employment

Despite the growth in employment, the number of high-wage jobs within the travel industry remains relatively low. Only 25.5 percent of workers in the travel sector earn high wages, compared to the national average of 50.7 percent. This reflects a challenge in ensuring that the benefits of industry growth are equitably distributed.

Travel Guide for Sustainable Tourism

For travelers looking to support sustainable tourism in the U.S., consider the following tips:

• Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation: Opt for trains or buses when possible to reduce carbon emissions. For longer trips, look into airlines with green initiatives or offset programs.
• Support Green Accommodations: Stay at hotels that prioritize sustainability by using renewable energy, minimizing waste, and conserving water.
• Travel Off-Peak: Reducing demand during peak seasons helps lessen overcrowding and reduces the environmental strain on popular destinations.
• Be Mindful of Local Resources: Respect local environments by minimizing waste and conserving natural resources during your travels.

The Road Ahead for U.S. Travel

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ U.S. travel industry is still grappling with issues of energy consumption and wage inequality, however, the upward trend to sustainability and the creation of jobs is very promising. As the world is paying attention to the need for less environmental impact, the U.S. has the opportunity to be the leader by putting money into green tech, clean energy, and the less polluting ways of travel.

The tourists are also able to help the situation by using the services of environmentally friendly companies and by taking the right choices in their trips. When the industry becomes larger and changes, the concentration on a cleaner, greener future will be the core of the industry’s ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌survival.