U.S., Jan. 17 -- A number of group tour and travel associations from the US Tourism industry came together this week to urge Congress and the Administration to end the government shutdown immediately and end the harmful economic effects to the United States and its tourism industry.

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we urge Congress and the Administration to work together to immediately end the partial government shutdown. This shutdown is unnecessarily causing harm to the nation's economy. We recognize that neither side wants to concede to the other, but this prolonged political fight will have negative impacts on the country - and our industries - for months and possibly years to come. Our members are already experiencing har...