Washington DC insists it’s open for visitors as government shutdown hits tourism
The US travel industry is set to lose $100 million a day due to the partial government shutdown as the number of national parks and visitor attractions forced to close increases, but Washington DC, one of the worst affected cities, says tourists should not be put off visiting.
Speaking during a trip to the UK this week, Elliott Ferguson, CEO of the marketing body Destination DC, said that although the capital’s government-funded museums, its zoo and the White House Visitor Center had been forced to close temporarily, most attractions were still open.
"While we’re disappointed the Smithsonian museums and National Zoo, National Art Gallery of Art and National Archives are now closed, the vast majority of things for visitors to see and do throughout Washington, DC’s neighbourhoods remain open," said Elliott.
"It’s a great time to find a deal in the city and explore The Wharf, our Michelin-rates dining scene, watch a hockey or basketball game or see a show."
Ferguson was in the UK to promote DC as a cool, affordable and easy to access city. Recent new budget hotel openings, including The Pod less than 18 months ago and The Moxy Washington last December have made it even more appealing to younger travellers.
In addition to 19 free museums and free National Zoo, it has many free monuments. "The cost of entertainment during the day is literally zero," said Ferguson. "In the evening, there is nightlife, a diverse range of restaurants, and sporting events that are appealing to younger travellers."
The UK is Washington DC’s second largest international market and it attracted 166, 000 British visitors in 2017, which was a low single digit increase on the previous year.
However, with no end in sight to the government shutdown, which started last month, the US Travel Association is warning that visitors could stay away and the US travel industry could lose more than $100 million a day. It said it was already hearing anecdotal evidence of a negative impact on hotel occupancy in some cities, including Washington DC.
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.
US 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 US economy will shortly follow."
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
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