Shutdown Blues

[GoodScout]

When the government was shut down two years ago, we felt a huge hit in our pocketbook. The shutdown came right before Fall Foliage season and we saw our occupancy drop 8% from previous year.
Fast-forward to 2019 and here we go again. Our January bookings are off 5% over last year.
I wish the national media would understand that these games not only impact federal workers, they trickle down to everyone, from those who depend on those services, to businesses who suffer in times of economic uncertainty.
Don't want this thread to get political, but am interested if other innkeepers are seeing an impact because of the CrazyStupid.

 

[GoodScout]

Based on the response, I'm going to say no.....

 

[Silverspoon]

Phineus, we are closed for the winter but our advance-bookings for 2019 are off 40%. I’m not sure the shutdown is the main reason, but it probably contributes to the decrease. Wall Street is in a slump, many of our “regulars” are retiring and heading to Europe or watching their pennies, and it’s only January. I’ll have a better feel for it once we get to March. I have upped our advertising, however...so will have to work a little harder to make up for that expense.

 

[Hillbilly]

Suprisenly enough we have actually had a dozen or so come stay with us this month. The all pretty much said the same thing. Enjoy it while they can. Most have saved enough back to account for this. They have learned over the years that this is becoming more and more regular. A few have even said it’s awesome because it was like getting paid to go on vacation. I know not everyone can say that. Hopefully it will be over soon.

 

[gillumhouse]

For me - it is January. Other than my 2-night accountant coming to do taxes for a business in town my reservations always look the same this time of year. NOTHING.
As the weather improves and things start to open again, it will get better.
Here due to the shutdown:
IF they are current with the water bill, show ID and pay when the shutdown ends and pay starts again (in Shinnston)
Food Pantries include them when showing government ID - started getting food from pantries this week
A car dealer is going to pay first payment and arrange for another 60 days of no payment when buying a new or used car - total of 90 days before a payment is due
Restaurants are giving discounts

 

[Morticia]

I tried to reply with something pithy the other day, but it got lost when my tablet locked up.
Yes, anything like this causes all kinds of trickle down problems. Not just those out of work at the moment, but those who support them (local businesses around the federal buildings), and it keeps going because the spouses are also not spending and their extended families are not spending and the state of the economy is up in the air.
Given the heels dug in attitude, I'd say to not depend on govt reopening in the near future.
Friends are stuck trying to get documentation to move into housing, some mortgages are stalled, it eventually affects everyone pretty much except those causing the problem. They are getting paid, have housing, health care, food on the table, a travel budget totally not impacted by any of this. But, they wouldn't be staying with us anyway.

 

[weatherrail]

Hello, I am new to this...so here goes.
We are in Maryland where government and related workers are in higher concentrations. If you are not related to someone working with the government, you know many people who are. TSA and Coast Guard for example fall under Homeland Security so wasn't under the same funding as the military. It wasn't funny that our borders were probably more vulnerable during the shutdown then they have been since 911...all because of a standoff over border security...don't we look stupid.
We have noticed a more than January slowdown. Our in advance bookings are also down. They literally started picking back up after the announcement yesterday.
Not trying to be political here either but it is difficult with the media coverage for people to understand that most non-essential government (and subsequently contractors) workers were afraid of what was going to happen. Government contractors cannot go to government sites to work if the sites are closed. Some DoD programs were continued but because much of the support community was also affected, people were either afraid or certainly didn't seem to want to celebrate.
So from what we saw, everything trickles down, some geographic areas are worse than others.

 

[gillumhouse]

Hello, I am new to this...so here goes.
We are in Maryland where government and related workers are in higher concentrations. If you are not related to someone working with the government, you know many people who are. TSA and Coast Guard for example fall under Homeland Security so wasn't under the same funding as the military. It wasn't funny that our borders were probably more vulnerable during the shutdown then they have been since 911...all because of a standoff over border security...don't we look stupid.
We have noticed a more than January slowdown. Our in advance bookings are also down. They literally started picking back up after the announcement yesterday.
Not trying to be political here either but it is difficult with the media coverage for people to understand that most non-essential government (and subsequently contractors) workers were afraid of what was going to happen. Government contractors cannot go to government sites to work if the sites are closed. Some DoD programs were continued but because much of the support community was also affected, people were either afraid or certainly didn't seem to want to celebrate.
So from what we saw, everything trickles down, some geographic areas are worse than others..

The FBI Fingerprint Section AND the NICS are locted less than 7 miles from my home. It is a MAJOR employer in my City and County. We took care of our own with food banks and other things. Health Access helped with meds. My City has a water Project that got stalled but we will get back to business and all will be well.

 

[GoodScout]

I strongly suggest everyone reach out to their congress critters and let them know how this stupidity has hurt the economy and your business in particular. Too often they think the only ones affected are the 800,000 employees laid off. They need to know the economic consequences are real and could impact them personally next Election Day.

 

[Lee2014]

Down here we are in our busy time... Up there we have the inn closed. So it hasn't impacted us much.