Our Story
Established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 as the nation’s first public-private partnership to spearhead a globally coordinated marketing effort to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and communicate U.S. visa and entry policies, Brand USA began operations in May 2011.
As one of the best levers for driving economic growth, international travel to the United States supports more than 1 million American jobs and benefits virtually every sector of the U.S. economy. The international segment of the travel economy is especially high-value because visitors from abroad on average spend more time and money and visit more destinations than domestic travelers. Since its founding, Brand USA has worked with thousands of partner organizations to invite the world to explore the exceptional, diverse, and virtually limitless travel experiences and destinations available in the United States of America.
According to studies by Oxford Economics, over the past nine years Brand USA’s marketing initiatives have helped welcome 7.7 million incremental visitors to the USA, benefiting the U.S. economy with $56 billion in total economic impact, and supporting, on average, nearly 40,000 incremental jobs each year. Importantly, approximately half the jobs supported are outside the travel and tourism industry, including manufacturing, construction, finance, retail, and more.
Brand USA’s operations are supported by a combination of nonfederal contributions from destinations, travel brands, and private-sector organizations plus matching funds collected by the U.S. government from international visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program.
Visit TheBrandUSA.com for industry and partner information.
Visit VisitTheUSA.com for exceptional and unexpected travel experiences in the United States.

Strategic Platform
WE EXIST TO (VISION)
Enrich lives by welcoming the world to travel to the USA
THEREFORE WE (MISSION)
Create community prosperity through partnership, leadership, and travel inspiration
WE DELIVER FOR
The U.S. travel industry and the communities of the USA
AND DO IT ALL WITH (VALUES)
- Accountability: We strive to be our best in and out of work to deliver results.
- Collaboration: We are stronger when we come together.
- Courage: We are bold and take smart risks.
- Inclusivity: We are inclusive and welcoming to all.
- Partnership: We add and create value in our relationships.