Holidaymakers hit as US begins ‘shutdown’
The US federal government has begun a partial shutdown in a move that will hit thousands of holidaymakers to the US.
National parks, museums, federal buildings and services are to be closed from today after US Congress failed to agree a budget by midnight last night, which means 700,000 federal workers have been sent home without pay.
Institutions affected include the Statute of Liberty and Yosemite National Parks, 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoo, which will all close. Both day visitors and overnight visitors have been asked to leave.
Flights should not be affected as air traffic control and those responsible for national security operations will continue to work. Green Card applications will continue to be processed, but it is not clear if visa waiver applications will be affected.
The shutdown, the first in 17 years, was prompted after Republicans refused last night to authorise any more spending unless Congress delayed President Barack Obama’s health reforms for at least a year.
*Are your customers being affected by the shutdown? Tell us how your business will be hit by clicking on the Post Your Comment button below
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive