Across-the-board
sequestration cuts for an array of federal government functions are
beginning to take a toll on travel to and within the United States.
And that means trouble for tourism, an NTA leader warns.
“NTA
is very concerned that cutbacks in funding will have negative impacts
on visitation, jobs, the U.S. economy and the balance of trade,”
said Lisa Simon, president of NTA. “Tourism is an investment that
produces jobs and revenue that support the rest of the U.S. economy,
and these cuts can cause serious ripple effects.”
Simon
added that the sequester cuts come at a bad time. In a recent survey,
NTA members reported a rebound in 2012 business following a prolonged
economic slowdown, and the majority of all members projected an even
brighter 2013—tour operators (59 percent), suppliers (70 percent)
and DMOs (74 percent).
Sequestration
took effect on March 1, but the full impact of federal reductions in
personnel hours and operating budgets continues to mount. NTA is most
closely following cuts in five areas that directly impact tourism:
•
FAA
air traffic controllers: Furloughs began yesterday and flight delays
started today.
•
Transportation
Security Administration personnel
•
Customs
and Border Protection officers at airports and border crossings
•
consulate
offices overseas, which process visas and conduct interviews
•
federal
parks and public lands, where staffing reductions will limit or delay
access
Simon
said NTA is also watching for increased fees at U.S. national parks,
diverted operational funds for parks and public lands, and changes to
funding for marketing the United States as an international
destination.
“NTA
will keep a close eye on how these issues impact the travel economy
and our members’ livelihoods, and we will work with other travel
organizations to inform Congress and the Obama administration about
the significant, adverse effects of sequestration,” said Simon.
“The travel sector must increase its efforts to help public policy
makers understand the threat of reduced funding.”
