Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Tourist Influx Indicates Possible Season Record

Cherry Blossom festivities are
giving the Capital its first pleas
ing view of the multi-million-
dollar tourist trade for 1854.
This vanguard of visitors pre-
sages a year as good as-or pos
sibly better than-any in history.
At a time when Government
employment is down from its
peak, the outlook is encourag-
ingly bright in the industry
which this city ranks second only
to the Government.
The District will be host to at
least 3 million visitors within
the next five months. This esti-
mate, compiled by the Greater
National Capital Committee OF
the Board of Trade, puts the
minimum figure for spring and
summer as high as the total for
the corresponding period last
year. And 1853 set record.
Dollar-Wise, the tourist impact
is incalculable. It is estimated.
however. that the Cherry Bios
som crowd alone will dump SIS
million into business Golfers here
within the week.
Big Time for Business.
Blossom week is a natural for
picture taking. The demand for
cameras and film always jumps
then. A survey conducted last
year showed photo finishers
processed IL million snapshots
of the cherry festival.
The amount spent in Wash
ington this week will be below
the average for the rest of the
tourist season, because many who
came to see the cherry bios
SONS are in town for only a
day or less. Sightseers who re-
main for several days or a week
spend considerably more at no
tells, restaurants, stores and
places of entertainment.
Student groups make one of
the most important contributions
to the tourist trade in Washing
ton. Their spending rate is not
as high per person. but their
numbers are large.
Carefully organized tours are
already bringing pupils to the
Capital from all States east of
the Mississippi River. and some
to the west Of it. Doubling up
in bedrooms. they occupy much
of the available hotel space here.
These students will account for
100000 Of the 3 million tourist
total, most of them arriving by
the end Of June. This means
more than 5000 student tours
are booked this year.
Spend $50 Each.
According to the Greater Ma
tional Capital Committee, school
children spend about $50 each
during three or four day visits to
Washington. So their 1854 out
lay will approximate $25 million.
The tours are planned far in
advance-some times years be-
forehand. In cooperation with
the National Education Associ-
alton. the Greater National Cap
ital Committee annually dis
tributes $4,000 copies Of its book
let. Destination: Washington.
D. c." to teachers throughout
the United States.
In the booklet. GNCC explains
why student groups should Or
ganiZe a sightseeing trip to the
Federal City. Then it suggests
how to plan the trip with stu
dent committees in charge. and
how to raise money for it. This
is done both individually and by
group benefit performances.
The committee offers to help
teachers and pupils arrange de-
tails. including food. lodging and
sightseeing itineraries.
The majority of the student
groups come to Washington by
bus, stopping along the way to
visit shrines and natural Won
ders. When they arrive, these
buses are used to transport the
children and chaperones on
their daily sightseeing tours
around town.
Others by Train.
Other groups come by train
and plane. Relatively few Or
ganized student groups travel in
private automobiles.
Those using the trains and
planes usually charter buses To-
cally to transport them in and
around Washington. Most of
these arrangements also are
made we'll ahead of time.
Louis Curry. head of the Cap
ital Transit Co. charter coach
department, said advance book
ings indicate the 1854 season
will be equally as good as 1858,
which was an exceptionally fine
year."
c. H. Ellis. general manager
of the Gray Line of Washington,
said prospects are for an i'm
provement of from 10 to Is per
cent in his charter business.