Inaugural Aftermath: Slimmer Revenues

The second inaugural celebration for President Bill Clinton brought some $70 million in travel businesses to the capital, but that figure fell far short of what industry leaders had been expecting.

Early projections indicated that the three days of special events and inaugural balls would inject up to $94 million into area hotels, restaurants, car rental companies and other attractions.

So what happened? "It was still successful. But our original expectations were just too high," said Marie Tibor, vice president of communications and tourism for the Washington Convention and Visitors Association. Hotels, for example, were banking on four-night stays that ended up being only three-night stays.

Hospitality industry leaders also point to the axiom that the inauguration of an incumbent president always lacks the following of a first-time event. It's total political change, when the outsiders become the insiders, that generates the most travel dollars for an inauguration, they said.