The U.S. Travel Association and nearly 500 tourism organizations and companies are warning of a potential Thanksgiving travel meltdown if the government shutdown drags on.
Why it matters: Thanksgiving is already one of the busiest travel weeks and a shutdown could make it even more chaotic with longer lines, delays and cancellations.
Driving the news: In a letter to congressional leaders Monday, the coalition said the ongoing shutdown could depress demand and cost the U.S. travel economy billions, hurting local businesses nationwide.
- The group — which includes major industry players like the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Cruise Lines International Association, American Gaming Association and major tourism boards — is urging lawmakers to pass a clean continuing resolution and reopen the government before Thanksgiving.
State of play: TSA officers and air traffic controllers are working without pay, fueling staffing shortages and flight disruptions.
- Thanksgiving week 2024 was one of the busiest on record — and a similar surge this year could overwhelm already strained systems.
By the numbers: $4 billion in estimated travel economy losses so far from the shutdown, the letter said.
- 20 million passengers flew Thanksgiving week last year.
- 60% of Americans are reconsidering travel plans amid uncertainty, per a U.S. Travel news release.
What they're saying: "Air travel's number one priority is safety and while safety will be maintained, travelers will pay a heavy and completely unnecessary price in terms of delays, cancelations and lost confidence in the air travel experience," Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel president and CEO, said in the release.
- "Thanksgiving should be about spending time with family, not worrying about flight disruptions or canceled plans," Freeman said. "The damage from this shutdown is growing by the hour with 60% of Americans reconsidering their travel plans."
What's next: Airlines, airports and TSA are bracing for record crowds, but unless Washington acts fast, travelers could face a holiday season defined by wait times and frustration.
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