U.S travel industry set to lose $100 million a day during government shutdown
The U.S Travel Association is warning that the partial government shutdown could cost the industry more than $100 million a day as the number of national parks and visitor attractions forced to close increases and travelers postpone or cancel their trips.
With no end to the shutdown in sight, the Association said it was already hearing anecdotal evidence of a negative impact on hotel occupancy in some cities, including Washington DC.
Many government-funded museums in DC, which are among the city’s main attractions, have already closed as there’s no money to pay staff; the National Zoo has also shut, as have other attractions like the White House Visitor Center.
The partial shutdown is also having an affect on several major airports, including Washington Dulles, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta and Miami, which was forced to close one terminal due to staff – including those employed by the Transportation Security Agency – taking sick leave rather than working without pay.
Delta Air Lines said the shutdown will cost it $25 million this month.
Many airports have been able to continue operating normally, as have major cruise ports, but the National Park Service has been badly hit. It is warning on its website that some parks are completely closed, while others have partial closures, and access may change without notice. The site is not being updated during the government shutdown.
U.S Travel Association VP of public affairs Jonathan Grella said: "It is now plainly evident that the shutdown is affecting air travel, and when that happens, damage to the overall U.S economy will shortly follow."
Writing in the Washington Post, Chris Elliott, who founded the advocacy group Travelers United, said: "Even if the partial shutdown ends soon, it could have a ripple effect that’s felt into the busy spring-break-travel season and beyond. It threatens to touch every aspect of travel, including hotels and restaurants. Now is the time to prepare for it."
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports