The Review

Issue date: 12/9/08 Section: News

Media Credit: THE REVIEW/File Photo The Courtyard Newark sold out all of its 126 rooms a few weeks after the election.

As millions of people plan to descend on Washington D.C. in January to watch President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, businesses in Delaware are already seeing the effect of increased tourism.

Linda Parkowski, director of tourism for the Delaware Economic Development Office , said tourism in the state is receiving a significant boost due to the multitude of people making the trek to the presidential inauguration who need a place to stay.

She said it is too early to tell exactly how much money Delaware will take in from inauguration related expenditures, but she believes the event will provide a welcome influx of money to the state during a traditionally slow time of the year in terms of tourism.

"Usually in Delaware, the winter period - November, December, January and February - are slower times for tourism," Parkowski said. "To have the inauguration in January will definitely boost Delaware's economy."

She said she was not expecting such a large number of tourists requesting to stay in Delaware for the inauguration.

"I am a little bit surprised," Parkowski said. "When Clinton was inaugurated, we did have some inquiries in Delaware, but nothing to this extent. From what I understand, hotels are getting inquiries from California, Ohio, Illinois, - all over the place. People are flying into Philly to rent rooms in Delaware."

One such hotel experiencing the effects of the inauguration is the Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware, located on the university's campus.

Bill Sullivan, managing director of the Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware, said his hotel sold out all 126 of its rooms within a few weeks of the election. However, because one group had to cancel reservations because they could not secure bus transportation into Washington, D.C., 60 rooms became available.

Sullivan said he has no doubt the remaining available rooms will be snatched up by others eager to attend the inauguration in January.

"We have already sold about 15 of them, and we do expect to sell out, as do many hotels in the state," he said.

Also the former chairman of the Delaware Hotel and Lodging Association, Sullivan said he expects Delaware hotels to take in nearly $500,000 between lodging and dining accommodations.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools