As federal employees are asked to stop traveling or are laid off, occupancy in and around Washington, D.C., is eroding

Washington, D.C., hoteliers are feeling an impact as the new presidential administration continues its cost-cutting measures. In four of the five weeks ending March 22, occupancies for the markets and the commercial business district, or CBD, submarket declined from the same period last year. The week ending March 29 saw occupancies increase, which was a welcome relief, but this was caused by a shift in the Easter holiday from last year. Group organizers traditionally stay away from Holy Week, and corporate travel wanes leading up to Easter, which made for an easy comparable this year.