The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is taking a major toll on the nation’s travel industry, which has already lost more than $1 billion in just one week, according to the U.S. Travel Association. The organization is tracking the economic fallout as the stalemate in Congress continues with no resolution in sight.

“This shutdown is doing real, irreversible damage,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Travelers are facing longer TSA lines and flight delays. Airports are reducing operations, and in some cases, entire control towers have gone dark. The longer this drags on, the worse the cascade of damage will be—for local communities, for small businesses, and for the country. Congress needs to act now and reopen the government.”

U.S. Travel’s real-time cost ticker surpassed the $1 billion mark on Wednesday morning, illustrating the scale of the financial losses mounting each day the shutdown continues.

Freeman emphasized the broader implications: “Travel keeps America moving. When travel is delayed and services are disrupted, the ripple effects reach every corner of our country.”

The U.S. travel economy, a key driver of jobs and economic growth, now faces mounting uncertainty as prolonged disruptions threaten to further weaken the nation’s tourism and hospitality sectors.