U.S. Travel Association Warns of $1 Billion Weekly Loss from Shutdown

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Travel Association today urged Congressional leaders to prevent a government shutdown, warning of its severe impact on the travel economy. President and CEO Geoff Freeman stated that a shutdown could cost the industry $1 billion each week, affecting millions of travelers and businesses.

Freeman highlighted the urgency of the situation in a letter to lawmakers, emphasizing that a government shutdown is avoidable. “A shutdown is a wholly preventable blow to America’s travel economy—costing $1 billion every week,” he said. “It puts unnecessary strain on an already overextended federal workforce.”

Tourism Economics forecasts that air and rail travel disruptions, coupled with the closure of national parks and museums, could devastate the travel economy.

A recent Ipsos survey indicated that most Americans anticipate economic damage from a government shutdown, particularly in air travel. “Nearly nine in 10 Americans agree Congress should work together to prevent a shutdown,” Freeman added. “Americans deserve better—lawmakers must act before October 1 to keep our government funded and protect jobs, travelers and our economy.”

The U.S. Travel Association, which represents the $1.3 trillion travel industry, advocates for policies to enhance travel to and within the United States. For more information, visit ustravel.org.

The looming shutdown is expected to severely affect federal operations, with an estimated 800,000 employees facing unpaid leave. Services deemed non-essential will halt, impacting everything from air travel to national parks.

During previous shutdowns, travelers faced longer security lines and flight delays, as unpaid air traffic controllers opted to stay home instead of working without pay. This disruption threatens the ongoing operations of federal passport agencies, which may extend processing times for travel documents.

Moreover, the consequences extend to various sectors, including healthcare and social programs, which may face temporary interruptions of services.

Freeman’s remarks highlight the pressing need for lawmakers to resolve budget differences before time runs out. A shutdown not only affects the travel industry but also ripples through various essential services across the nation.