In a letter to Congressional leadership, the U.S. Travel Association underscored that a government shutdown threatens over $1 billion in travel-related economic losses and significant disruption for travelers.
In the letter, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman highlighted the dangers of government shutdown: “A shutdown is a wholly preventable blow to America’s travel economy—costing $1 billion every week—and affecting millions of travelers and businesses while placing unnecessary strain on an already overextended federal travel workforce.”
The U.S. Travel Association drew on data from Tourism Economics and an Ipsos survey to illustrate the projected $1 billion weekly loss to the travel economy and the public’s concerns about air travel and economic disruption.
According to Tourism Economics, the travel economy is at risk of losing $1 billion a week due to disruptions in air and rail travel and the closure of national parks and museums.
A survey from Ipsos shows that a large majority of Americans believe a U.S. government shutdown will cause economic harm and disrupt air travel. According to the survey:
- 60 percent of Americans said they would cancel or avoid trips by air in the event of a shutdown.
- 81 percent of Americans agree government shutdowns hurt the economy, and inconvenience air travelers (86 percent).
- 88 percent of Americans agree members of Congress from both parties should work together to avoid a government shutdown.
- 69 percent of Americans would be less likely to vote for a member of Congress if they supported a government shutdown.
“The longer a shutdown drags on, the more likely we are to see longer TSA lines, flight delays and cancellations, national parks in disrepair and unnecessary delays in modernizing travel infrastructure. Nearly nine in 10 Americans agree Congress should work together to prevent a shutdown. Americans deserve better—lawmakers must act before October 1 to keep our government funded and protect jobs, travelers and our economy,” Freeman added.
Freeman also noted: “While Congress recently provided a $12.5 billion down payment to modernize our nation’s air travel system and improve safety and efficiency, this urgently needed modernization will stop in the event of a shutdown.”
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