Analysis
NAICS 5615 is the 2022 industry group for travel arrangement and reservation services, part of 561 (Administrative and Support Services). Census lists 43 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 15,704 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 186,812 people at an average annual payroll of $103,578 per employee (86th percentile of national industries). 71% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 14% and employment fell 16%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Across its national industries Census lists 43 index entries; typical ones are online travel agencies, tour operators (i.e., arranging and assembling tours), convention and visitors bureaus and airline reservation services.
It splits into 3 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 56151 (Travel Agencies) with 9,308.
Its more detailed codes are 56151 Travel Agencies (9,308 establishments), 56152 Tour Operators (2,584 establishments) and 56159 Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services (3,812 establishments).
Official definition
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) travel agency services; (2) arranging and assembling tours; or (3) other travel arrangement and reservation services.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (43)
- Online travel agencies
- Tour operators (i.e., arranging and assembling tours)
- Convention and visitors bureaus
- Airline reservation services