The United States’ record-long 43-day government shutdown inflicted an estimated $6.1bn (£4.8bn) hit on the travel and tourism economy, according to new analysis from the U.S. Travel Association.
The shutdown, which ran from 1 October to 12 November, led to widespread disruption across air travel, attractions and government-related business travel, with the country experiencing around 88,000 fewer trips per day than normal, the association said.
The figures were compiled in partnership with Tourism Economics and published in a research update by Joshua Friedlander, vice-president of research at U.S. Travel. He said the episode underlined how damaging shutdowns are for an industry that supports around 15 million American jobs.
“Government shutdowns are costly, disruptive and unnecessary,” Friedlander said. “They disproportionately harm a sector that underpins America’s economic growth. Protecting the continuity of travel operations and ensuring essential workers are paid gives due recognition to an industry that has proven to be essential.”
According to the analysis, most of the losses were incurred during the shutdown itself, although some knock-on effects were also included. These ranged from curtailed government travel and air traffic disruption to attraction closures, reduced traveller confidence and income effects.
Direct trip-related losses were estimated at $2.7bn, equivalent to a 1.7% reduction in total travel spending during the shutdown period. Flight delays alone accounted for more than $183m in lost economic activity.
The largest driver of reduced spending was government-related travel. Losses linked to air travel by government employees and contractors were estimated at almost $1bn, while non-air government travel contributed a further $1.3bn in losses.
Friedlander added that there is growing bipartisan support in Congress to ensure key aviation and border staff continue to be paid during shutdowns, even when other parts of government are closed.
A December survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of U.S. Travel found that four in five Americans support paying air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers when they are required to keep working during a shutdown.