Hotel industry urges Congress to end the shutdown
The American Hotel & Lodging Association, joined by more than 30 hotel and lodging groups, is pressing Congress to end the government shutdown. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and leaders in both chambers, the coalition warns that hotels have already missed out on an estimated $650 million in business since the stalemate began. They add that every additional day without a deal wipes out roughly $31 million in economic activity that would normally come from overnight stays.
Cancellations rise as travelers pull back
AHLA president and CEO Rosanna Maietta called the situation “devastating” for hotels. She said ongoing uncertainty is shaking consumer confidence, which quickly translates into canceled bookings and a reluctance to plan future trips. That pullback is especially concerning with the holiday travel season approaching, when many properties rely on stronger demand to carry them through winter.
A major jobs engine at risk
Hotel groups also point to the industry’s broader role in the U.S. economy. According to AHLA, hotels support 2.1 million direct jobs and nearly nine million jobs in total across the country. In all, the sector contributes about $894 billion to annual GDP. Industry leaders argue that prolonged disruptions threaten those jobs and the local businesses that depend on steady visitor traffic, from restaurants and attractions to transportation services.
Travel spending losses keep climbing
A separate tracker from the U.S. Travel Association underscores the wider tourism hit. By Friday, it estimated the shutdown had already erased $3.3 billion in travel spending since October 1. Hotel groups say those losses will keep mounting until lawmakers reach an agreement, urging Congress to act quickly to restore confidence and keep the travel economy on track through the holidays.
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This article was written by Hunter and edited with AI Assistance
