A government shutdown could cost the U.S. travel industry $1 billion per week because of disruptions in air and rail travel and the closure of national parks and museums, U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman said in a letter to Congress.
Federal funding is set to run out on Oct. 1, which would trigger a government shutdown unless Congress passes a stopgap spending bill to keep funds flowing.
"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," Freeman wrote.
The USTOA said in a memo to members Sept. 26 that a government shutdown would impact the National Parks Service, likely closing visitors centers and research facilities; slow down passport applications and tourist visa applications; and affect border patrol wait times.
During a shutdown, federal aviation workers, such as air traffic controllers and TSA officers, are considered essential and must continue to work but without pay. During previous shutdowns, the longer TSA and FAA employees worked without paychecks, the more likely they were to call in sick and take time off, leading to short staffing at airports and travel delays.
U.S. Travel cited an Ipsos survey in which 60% of Americans said they would cancel or avoid trips by air in the event of a 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," Freeman said. "Americans deserve better — lawmakers must act before Oct. 1 to keep our government funded and protect jobs, travelers and our economy."