Photo Credit: Daniel Thornberg for Adobe Stock
The American travel economy has lost more than $1 billion since the government shut down on Oct. 1, according to the U.S. Travel Association. The organization has posted a "real-time cost ticker" on its website, which continues to rise the longer the government remains closed.
"This shutdown is doing real, irreversible damage," said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of U.S. Travel. "Travelers are facing longer TSA lines and flight delays. Airports are reducing flights, and we've seen entire control towers go dark. The longer this drags on, the worse the cascade of damage will be — for local communities, for small businesses and for the country. Congress needs to act now and reopen the government."
In a letter sent to Congress on Sept. 25, U.S. Travel warned that the nation's travel industry could lose as must as $1 billion per week during a shutdown. The association warned that millions of travelers and businesses would be affected and additional strain would be placed on the "already overextended federal workforce."
In addition to longer TSA lines and flight delays, the hiring and training of new air-traffic controllers has been halted. According to U.S. Travel, there already is a shortage of 2,800 controllers nationwide. Efforts to modernize air travel systems also have been paused during the government shutdown. Meanwhile, most national parks and federally operated museums have closed or are offering reduced services.
"Travel keeps America moving," said Freeman. "When travel is delayed and services are disrupted, the ripple effects reach every corner of our country."