Three Charts That Should Encourage Anyone Working in Travel

As we end the week, I wanted to show a few key trends that show where we are in the industry right now, and why there’s strong momentum in travel. These three charts offer a powerful perspective on the future of the travel business and travel advisors.

1. U.S. Passport Holders Since 2010

This first chart is maybe the most bullish indicator for travel advisors. The number of U.S. passport holders is accelerating, a key sign of growing demand for international travel. According to the U.S. Department of State, the number of valid passports in circulation has grown from approximately 101.8 million in 2010 to nearly 170 million in 2024. This represents a remarkable 70% growth in just 14 years.

This trend is set to continue as the application process becomes easier and easier for Americans. More passports logically leads to more international travel, which often means more complex, valuable trips for consumers—the exact type of trips Americans are increasingly turning to travel advisors to book.

2. Labor Day Travel Since 2019

The TSA announced it screened nearly 10.4 million travelers at U.S. airports over the recent four-day Labor Day holiday weekend. The Friday before Labor Day, which is typically the busiest travel day of the weekend, saw 2.91 million passengers screened. This was the highest volume ever recorded for that specific day and the 15th busiest single day in the agency’s history. In fact, of the top 10 busiest travel days the TSA has ever reported, eight have occurred since May 23, with the agency on pace to break an all-time annual passenger volume record this year.

3. Tourism’s Contribution to Global GDP (2019 through 2025)

While those in the industry are familiar with how politics can impact inbound tourism, the long-term trend for the industry’s place in the global economy is overwhelmingly positive.

Data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) illustrates this clearly. After a dip in 2020, travel’s contribution to global GDP has bounced back strongly and is projected to reach an all-time high of $11.7 trillion in 2025. It shows that travel is a major driver of global prosperity, creating jobs and stimulating economies, and that trend, while not straight up considering how many outside forces can impact travel, is likely to continue.