New data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce reveals the country’s travel trade surplus slipped to just $4 billion in 2022—down from an all-time high of $85.9 billion less than a decade ago, underscoring the urgent need to rebuild inbound travel and regain its associated economic benefits.

“Travel has historically generated an annual trade surplus that meaningfully reduced the U.S. trade deficit,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “The latest trade data is a wake-up call for immediate federal action to boost this essential industry and increase travel exports to benefit the entire U.S. economy.”

The overall U.S. trade deficit in 2015—when travel generated its largest trade surplus ever—would have been 18% higher without the offset produced by the travel trade balance.

Travel Trade Surplus