The total impact from coronavirus on the US travel industry is estimated at nine times greater than the 9/11 terror attacks.
The collapse in travel will cause eight million jobs to be lost out of approximately 24 million for the entire US economy, according to new data released by the US Travel Association and analytics firm Tourism Economics.
Overall travel spending last week plunged 85% since the first week in March to $2.9 billion – 87% lower than the period in 2019.
As many as 90% of travellers surveyed had some type of travel or travel-related activity planned prior to the Covid-19 outbreak and 80% of those either cancelled or postponed those plans.
The US Travel Association is calling for an additional $600 billion to extend a government Paycheck Protection Programme from its June 20 expiry date until December, among other measures.
Funds have already been depleted and are in “urgent need” of replenishment, according to US Travel Association president and chief executive Roger Dow.
He added: “We’re appealing for fixes, the addition of more relief, faster rules and greater flexibility.
“The relief programme needs to fit the crisis, and we’re still learning the magnitude and intricacies of this particular crisis.”