The US economy could be damaged by a protracted shutdown of government services, warns ACTE executive director Greeley Koch.
Non-essential government services closed down on Tuesday following the failure of politicians to approve a new government budget by the deadline of September 30.
Travel to the US has not been badly affected so far as air traffic controllers, airport security, customs, and Homeland security departments have continued to operate as normal.
But many of the country’s most iconic tourist attractions, such as the Statue of Liberty and Grand Canyon, have closed their doors.
But Koch fears that US politicians could be “digging a hole for businesses” unless they can reach a compromise agreement.
“Many companies who do extensive business with the federal government are wondering what the future will hold,” he said. “A protracted shutdown could easily result in travel cutbacks.
“Our industry is making a long and slow comeback from a weak economy. It would not take much to reverse the gains made by the airlines and hospitality industry now.
“In March, we faced the US government sequester budget cuts - today it is the government shutdown. Later this month, it will be the debt ceiling crisis.
“It is time for elected officials to start considering the collateral damage to domestic and international business, and to legislate with vision.”
Roger Dow, CEO of theUS Travel Association, added: “Previous experience tells us that a shutdown unnecessarily disrupts economic activity in communities large and small that depend upon travel spending for employment and tax revenue.
“While we recognise that basic travel functions will continue, we are concerned that federal agencies will quickly be forced to implement shutdown policies that will damage the travel experience and derail long-term, bipartisan investments in our travel infrastructure.”