US ops brace for lengthy shutdown Ian Taylor


The US government shutdown, now in its fifth week, appears set to become the longest in US history, with disruption to UK travellers so far kept to a minimum but fears operators could be in for a long haul. USAirtours chief executive


Guy Novik said: “We’ve seen some missed [flight] connections with longer lines at immigration and we’re probably taking 20% more calls out of hours than we would normally, although we’re also taking calls from the Caribbean [due to Hurricane Melissa]. “There have been very few


international cancellations – we’re seeing more domestic flights cancelled.” Novik added: “People are finding


alternative ways to spend their time when facilities aren’t open.” However, the shutdown is set


to surpass the five-week federal closure in 2018-19 during Donald Trump’s first term as president and Novik said: “I can’t see an ending in the short term. We’re bedded down for the long haul.” America As You Like It managing


director Maggi Smit said: “The shutdown has had some impact, but nothing too significant for clients. Destinations have been keeping us informed about what remains open. “National parks are open


wherever possible, and visitors can still enjoy the hiking trails and scenic drives. Although the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC are closed, there is still an abundance of


We’ve seen some


missed connections with longer lines at immigration and we’re taking 20% more calls


attractions and activities for visitors.” She added: “So far, our clients


have been very understanding.” If there is no end by this Saturday


(November 1) – the start of registration for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, which sparked the dispute – it is likely the shutdown will go on at least until the week of Thanksgiving on November 27. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and more


than 30 other trade groups urged Congress to end the shutdown last week, claiming it is costing the hotel sector $31 million a day. AHLA chief executive Rosanna


Maietta said: “Waning consumer confidence is translating into cancellations and discouraging future planning.” The US Travel Association


estimated last week that the industry has lost $3.3 billion since the shutdown began on October 1. The Federal Aviation


Administration reported shortages of air traffic controllers across the US amid reports of controllers taking jobs as delivery and Uber drivers. There has also been a reported increase in absences among airport security screeners.


Aito Agents chair calls out suppliers for lacking respect


Juliet Dennis


The chair of Aito Specialist Travel Agents has urged tour operators to treat agents with respect and remember they are “clients not order takers”. Gemma Antrobus, owner of


Haslemere Travel, spoke out as Aito, The Specialist Travel Association, reported increased interest from members to work with agents following a recent panel debate on the benefits of trade distribution at its autumn general meeting. She identified a “minority” of


4 30 OCTOBER 2025


operators forgetting the rules when it came to engaging with agents, from turning up unannounced without doing research on recent bookings to not listening to what agents say when discussing a client’s wish list. Antrobus said: “There are some


operators with extensive on-the- road teams who don’t know the etiquette of working with agents. “Some of them don’t do the


basics; the worst thing is if they come in unexpected and don’t know you did a booking last week. At least come in with a thank you for the booking.”


Some operators also still have


a poor perception of agents, said Antrobus, insisting: “We’re not stupid, and we’re not order takers.” She stressed: “We might not know


your hotel as well as you do but we have a good idea of how to put that itinerary together and we know the client, so listen to what we are saying. “If we say the client doesn’t like


trekking, don’t send us an itinerary with trekking in it. Listen to what the agent says, work with the agent and understand they have built a very successful business, [mostly] based on client relationships.” Agents should be treated as


operators’ clients in the same way as direct clients are, she noted, adding: “The operators we work with are the ones we have mutual respect for and trust and understand.” Antrobus reported “super


interesting” conversations with at least six operators considering trade distribution following Aito’s autumn general meeting. About 75 of Aito’s 100-strong


Gemma Antrobus


supplier membership currently sell through agents but only about 40 do so proactively. Antrobus added: “More and


more operators are asking to join Aito and one of the reasons they are citing is because they want to work with agents – we are open to that conversation.”


travelweekly.co.uk


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