A coalition of nearly 500 organizations and companies sent a joint letter to congressional leaders on Nov. 3 calling for Congress to end the government shutdown by passing a clean continuing resolution as soon as possible.
The signatories represented every sector of the travel industry, from the U.S. Travel Association and Adventure Travel Trade Association to individual hotel properties, tourism boards and travel agencies. Together, they urged action ahead of Thanksgiving, which they called “the busiest travel period of the year.”
The letter emphasized that the shutdown has already resulted in economic losses of $4 billion, and that the U.S. is set to lose billions more in spending if the shutdown continues during the holiday.
A continued shutdown is likely to significantly suppress travel demand and spending, creating a real threat to American workers, businesses and the overall economy.
"A continued shutdown is likely to significantly suppress travel demand and spending, creating a real threat to American workers, businesses and the overall economy,” the letter said, pointing to the relationship between staffing shortages and flight delays and cancellations.
The coalition highlighted how the shutdown has placed immense strain on federal personnel who are currently working without pay, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers.
"Air travel’s No. 1 priority is safety, and while safety will be maintained, travelers will pay a heavy and completely unnecessary price in terms of delays, cancellations and lost confidence in the air travel experience,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
