ASTA Statement on Government Shutdown

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) President and CEO Zane Kerby issues the following statement in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown and its growing impact on the travel industry:

“ASTA calls on Congress and the Administration to work together to end the government shutdown. While the immediate impact to our industry is limited, the longer the shutdown lasts the greater the chance of negative economic consequences. We’re specifically concerned about issues ranging from airport security staffing to National Park and museum closures to air traffic control functions to passport and trusted traveler program enrollments to the macroeconomic consequences of 800,000 Americans going without a paycheck.

“With regard to airport security, we call on Congress and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to immediately halt to the diversion of a portion TSA security fees imposed or travelers to the federal government’s general fund, which has been ongoing since 2013. Derived from true ‘user fees,’ this revenue should be used to fund the TSA’s security screening operations rather than paying down the federal deficit, and thus limit the impact on the flying public.”

« Back to Page

• River cruise gems in Amsterdam will be unveiled at ASTA Expo

• ASTA: Travel Advisors Celebrate End of Inbound Testing Rule

• American Express Global Business Travel Joins ASTA

• New Travel Restrictions Will Impose Additional Harm on Industry, Must Be Lifted Quickly

• ASTA Responds to Omicron Travel Bans