In recent reports the U.S. has lost more than $1.2 billion in domestic travel spending as a result of the government shutdown, according to a real-time cost ticker on the U.S. Travel Association website. That financial number grows larger with every passing second. 

But this travel loss could be benefitting to local beach economy. While many businesses with ties to Washington D.C. have cancelled some trips, those managers and staff members have taken the opportunity to travel during fall breaks. Many of them are taking one last trip to the beach or theme parks before work gets back to normal and the winter weather begins.

The fall is typically a big travel time for government staff to inspect manufactures, negotiate contracts or for citizens to visit national parks. Since the shutdown access to parks has been limited and government business meetings have been cancelled. This has caused many people to seek alternate destinations and the coast seems to be one of the favorite destinations. The Shrimp Festival and other fall events have helped to draw new visitors to the area.

The airline industry has been hit with many cancellations to business trips. “Travelers are facing longer TSA lines and flight delays. Airports are reducing flights and we’ve seen entire control towers go dark,” Freeman said in a Wednesday statement.

Travel reports state that families are seeking less expensive and drivable locations during the fall break.