U.S. Travel Volume Grew 2.2 Percent YOY in September

Total travel to or within the United States grew 2.2 percent year over year, according to the U.S. Travel Association's Travel Trends Index. Total U.S. domestic travel rose 2.4 percent year over year, thanks primarily to leisure, which grew 3 percent year over year. Domestic business travel grew 1.2 percent year over year.

USTA predicts slower growth moving forward. From October through March 2020, total domestic travel will grow 1.4 percent year over year, according to the organization, reflecting cooler business investment and consumer spending for early 2020. USTA expects leisure growth at 1.6 percent and domestic business travel growth at 1.2 percent for that period.

For the fifth month this year, international inbound travel to the U.S. contracted, declining by 0.4 percent year over year in September. From October through March, USTA estimated a 0.6 percent decline year over year, citing prolonged trade tensions and a strong dollar, both of which dampen travel demand to the U.S.