Hotel Occupancy Trends in Washington DC Ahead of Trump’s Second Inauguration

• Strong hotel occupancy noted in Washington, D.C., leading up to Inauguration Day, reflecting a significant increase from the previous presidential inauguration. 
• The length of guests’ stays has diminished in comparison to pre-pandemic inaugurations.

Trevor Simpson of CoStar delves into the current hotel demand trends in Washington, D.C., with a particular emphasis on the days leading up to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, his second non-consecutive term as president. The preliminary data from CoStar indicates significant year-over-year occupancy increases in both the Washington, D.C., central business district and its greater market between Jan. 18-20. However, it should be noted that the length of the attendees’ stays is expected to be shorter than in previous, non-pandemic-impacted inaugurations.

On Inauguration Day, the hotel occupancy in the D.C. central business district stands at 74.9%, up from 41% in 2023. The greater D.C. market also shows an improvement, with the current occupancy rate being 58.4%, up from 33.5% the previous year. This occupancy increase is significant, considering that the inauguration is on a Monday, which is typically less beneficial for hotel demand.

The data also provides a comparative analysis of hotel occupancy during previous inaugurations. On Trump’s first inauguration day in 2017, occupancy in the D.C. central business district was at an impressive 95.3%. Comparatively, during President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, hotel occupancy levels were significantly lower, with the market’s central business district recording a 68.6% occupancy rate.

The article also highlights the opinions of hoteliers in the region. David Hill, the area general manager at Crestline Hotels & Resorts in Washington, D.C., and Andrew Daly, the assistant general manager at the Holiday Inn Express Washington DC Downtown, both anticipate strong demand leading up to Inauguration Day. However, they also note a shift in dynamics, with shorter stays becoming more common compared to the past trend of selling three- or four-night stays at premium rates around Inauguration Day.

In conclusion, while the hotel demand in Washington, D.C., is robust in the immediate days leading up to Inauguration Day, operational changes such as increased security levels, the pandemic’s impact, and changes in the way rooms are booked for delegates have all contributed to the shift in demand and occupancy trends.