How will US federal government shutdown affect tourists, with landmarks closing?

The US federal government has shut down after Congress failed to agree on a spending package for the new fiscal year.

As a result, many agencies that aren’t deemed essential must close until Congress appropriates more money.

Popular public tourist attractions, like Yellowstone and the Statue of Liberty, could therefore close.

There could also be significant disruptions to travel.

What could the shutdown mean for tourists? ITV News explains.

Travel in and out of the US

The impact on airline travel is expected to be significant.

Airport employees, including air traffic controllers and security staff, are required to show up for work as they are categorised as essential workers, but they will be doing so without pay, which could lead to some staffing issues.

There will most likely be delays and cancellations to flights in and out of the US and travellers could experience longer-than-usual security lines.

Amtrak trains, which receives public funding but operates as an independent agency, will continue to run as normal.

National parks

The National Park Service plans to keep parks largely open to visitors during the federal shutdown despite around two-thirds of its employees will be furloughed.

The park service has more than 400 sites, including large national parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, national battlefields and historic sites.

A contingency plan released on Tuesday night said “park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors.”

It also allows parks to enter into agreements with states or local governments willing to make donations to keep national park sites open.

The National Park Service plans to keep parks largely open to visitors during the federal shutdown. / Credit: AP

Sites could close if damage is being done to park resources or rubbish is building up.

During the shutdown in Trump’s first term, many parks remained open but limited staffing led to vandalism.

As a result, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), an independent advocacy association, called for the parks to be closed to visitors.

They said keeping them open would leave “parks understaffed and vulnerable, putting our most cherished places and millions of visitors at risk”.

Museums and other sites

Tours of federal government buildings, including of the US Capitol and FBI Building, are likely to be cancelled during the shutdown.

The National Archives has said all events are cancelled “until further notice”.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum – which bills itself as the world’s largest museum complex – said it would remain open until at least October 6.

It oversees 21 museums, including the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History, as well as the National Zoo.

One of the most cherished monuments in America, the Statue of Liberty, may also close.

The National Parks Service would not say if the statue would close but spokesperson Kathleen Qorraj said visitors should check their website for information.

She added: “We hope that all parties will work together to keep federal offices and parks open without interruption.”