More than 30% increase in U.S. travel to the Dominican Republic
More than 30% increase in U.S. travel to the Dominican Republic Dominican Today
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The Sustainable Development Goals and the Expansion of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Sector
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and members of ForwardKeys and Mabrian Technologies have recently provided new insights into the significant growth of the U.S. travel and tourism sector.
Contributions to GDP and Job Creation
According to WTTC’s Travel & Tourism 2023 Global Trends in Economic Impact Report, the U.S. travel and tourism sector’s contribution to GDP grew by 16.9% in 2022, reaching a total of US$2 trillion. This growth also resulted in the creation of 2.7 million more jobs compared to 2021.
Outbound Travel Trends
Data from ForwardKeys reveals a 13% increase in forward-looking outbound travel from the U.S. Popular destinations such as Greece, Dominican Republic, Italy, Jamaica, and Mexico experienced growth ranging from 30% to 63%.
Families Leading the Travel Recovery
Families have played a significant role in the recovery of the travel industry, with family-sized groups witnessing a 21% growth compared to 2019.
Top International Destinations
The top international destinations for U.S. visitors are Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom, accounting for 52% of all outbound departures from the United States in 2022.
Future Projections
In 2023, it is forecasted that the sector’s contribution to GDP will reach US$2.2 trillion, and the number of jobs will total 17.4 million.
Increased Spending by International Visitors
The impressive growth in the sector was driven by a strong resurgence in demand from international visitors, with their spending increasing by over 150% annually to reach US$115.7 billion in 2022.
Nearly Recovered Domestic Visitor Spending
The report also highlights that domestic visitor spending has nearly recovered to its pre-pandemic levels, reaching US$1.18 trillion in 2022, close to the US$1.2 trillion spent by domestic visitors in 2019.
Leading Travel and Tourism Sector
Measured by economic contribution and spending by international and domestic visitors, the United States continues to lead as the world’s most extensive travel and tourism sector in both 2019 and 2022.
Surge in U.S. Airport Passenger Numbers
The resurgence in travel is reflected in U.S. airport statistics. According to data from Mabrian Technologies, the United States continues to host some of the busiest airports globally.
Denver International witnessed the most significant inbound passenger growth of any U.S. airport, with nearly 2.2 million more passengers between 2019 and 2023. Orlando International also experienced an increase in inbound traffic, accommodating 1.8 million more travelers in 2022 compared to 2019. The newly renamed Harry Reid International Airport in Nevada ranks third, with 1.7 million more travelers passing through its gates in 2023 compared to 2019.
Overall, the figures underscore that U.S. airports welcomed a combined total of 9.6 million more passengers last year compared to the period just before the pandemic hit.
The Importance of the Travel and Tourism Sector
Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC, emphasized the significance of the U.S. travel and tourism sector, stating that “the U.S. performance is more than just numbers; it shows resilience and enduring demand for travel and tourism. In 2019, one in ten jobs globally was in the Travel & Tourism sector, and it is expected to contribute $9.5 trillion to the global economy this year alone.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
- Indicator 8.9.1: Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate.
- Indicator 8.9.2: Proportion of jobs in tourism industries out of total jobs.
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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
- Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.
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SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
- Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. | Indicator 8.9.1: Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate. Indicator 8.9.2: Proportion of jobs in tourism industries out of total jobs. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature. | Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula. |
Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:
– Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
– Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
– Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
– Indicator 8.9.1: Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate.
– Indicator 8.9.2: Proportion of jobs in tourism industries out of total jobs.
– Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.
– Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.
These indicators can be used to measure the progress towards promoting sustainable tourism, ensuring relevant information and awareness for sustainable development, and improving education and awareness on climate change.
Overall, the article highlights the growth of the U.S. travel and tourism sector, the increase in outbound travel, the recovery of domestic visitor spending, and the surge in passenger numbers at U.S. airports. These developments have implications for economic growth, job creation, sustainable tourism, responsible consumption, and climate action.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: dominicantoday.com
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