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Government Shutdown Impact on Travel With News and Tips

By Travel Tube - October 08, 2025
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TravelTube.com Podcast - Travel News & Tips

Host: Mark Murphy
Date: October 7, 2025

Introduction

Hi, it's Mark Murphy and this is TravelTube.com. Just a quick reminder—if you haven't signed up with TravelTube.com, please do so and follow us on all our social media as well as your favorite podcast apps. We're on Apple, Spotify, and the Amazon podcast app.

Today I'm going to jump into a handful of news items:

* The current government shutdown and its travel impact.
* Canadian versus American travel sentiment.
* Growing disgust with hotel and resort fees in the U.S.
* How to protect your data when traveling.
 

Government Shutdown Impact on Travel

The government shutdown is impacting certain parts of the country and specific air traffic control towers at certain airports. Air traffic controllers are required to be there even though their pay is being held up.

What you need to know:

* It's not causing massive cancellations like a snowstorm or hurricane—just a handful of delays.
* Some airports, like Burbank, had no air traffic controllers for several hours earlier this week.
* There are cancellations every day in the airline industry for maintenance issues, crew timing out, and other reasons.
 
 

My recommendations:

* Bring your patience when you travel.
* Consider hopping on a train or booking a last-minute cruise (these areas aren't being affected).
* If it's under a 6-7 hour drive, just drive it—gas is cheap.
 

U.S. Hotel & Resort Fees Driving Travelers Overseas

Hotels and resorts are being accused of charging too many fees, sending fed-up vacationers overseas for cheaper deals. Even Americans are finding the U.S. too expensive to travel domestically.

What travelers are saying:

One person on Reddit's travel forum asked: "Is the U.S. now far and away the most expensive place to travel to?" They added that even though it costs more to fly internationally, they almost always spend less than going to New York City, Miami, Vegas, Disney, or other domestic destinations.

Real-world example: Someone from Boston went to Thailand and actually saved money on vacation. When dining out costs are so much cheaper overseas, it offsets the hotel and flight costs.

For example, in Penang at a hawker center (food carts), you could feed a family of four a delicious meal for $4-6.

The Vegas example: A long weekend in Vegas for two people:

* Round-trip airfare: $1,000 ($500 each).
* Hotel (3-4 nights over a weekend): $300-500+.
* Dining: Drinks run $15-25 each, steaks cost $50-85 each.
* Total: Thousands of dollars for a long weekend.
 
 

People are voting with their dollars and choosing international destinations over domestic travel. The industry had an unbelievable run for the last four years with revenge travel after COVID, but now travelers are making different choices.

Protecting Your Data While Traveling

This is really important. Here are critical steps to protect yourself from hackers, especially when using public charging stations:

iPhone Privacy Settings

1. Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Security → Wired Accessories.
2. Make sure the default is NOT automatic.
3. Set it to prompt you before allowing any connection.
4. You can then decide yes or no each time.
 
 

Public Charging Safety

Best options (in order):

1. Plug into a wall outlet. (safest option)
2. Use a battery pack - I recommend Anker brand (available on Amazon).
* Can charge your phone 3-5 times before needing a recharge.
* Note: Can't put these in checked luggage when flying.
3. Use a charging block - Data doesn't transfer through these, only power.
4. USB data blockers - Acts like a "condom" to block data transfer while allowing charging.
 
 

Warning: If you plug directly into a public USB outlet at airports, Starbucks, etc., hackers could install malware on your phone or access all your financial data, photos, and personal information.

General Security Best Practices

Before you travel:

* Back up your devices.
* Install the most recent software updates.
* Enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication.
* Use security software (like McAfee) to scan your devices.
* Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your connection on public WiFi.
* Only visit sites with HTTPS (secure sites).
 
 

Physical security:

* Be aware of pickpockets.
* Consider tactical clothing with hidden pockets (like 511 Tactical cargo pants).
* Consider a security chest pack (like Westslope brand) that can hold valuables securely.
 

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Look forward to talking to you next week. Take care!

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