Despite opening just over a month ago, Donald Trump's brand new Washington, D.C. hotel appears be a victim of the Republican presidential nominee's polarizing campaign.
In addition to Trump's controversial views and policy ideas, recent acts of vandalism and protests outside of his hotels have turned off many travelers and those within the industry.
"There certainly are people who are concerned about the message they send by spending money in Trump-branded hotels," hotel analyst David Loeb told CNN Money.
Earlier this month, analysis from Foursquare found that foot traffic at Trump-branded hotels, casinos and golf clubs declined by approximately 16 percent in September 2016 compared to the same month last year.
That figure comes just months after a study conducted for Forbes determined that 45 percent of Americans earning at least $200,000 annually would intentionally avoid staying at a Trump-branded hotel or visiting a Trump-branded golf course over the next four years. That's significant considering it's this group that's more likely to be able to afford a stay at one of Trump's five-star properties.
Even travel agents and event planners are giving pause.
"I'm not recommending the Trump property to anyone," Perfect Planning Events owner Tara Melvin told CNN Money. "Just based on his character, and his actions and the things that he said over his political campaign."
[READMORE] READ MORE: WATCH: Donald Trump's New Luxury Washington, DC Hotel Vandalized [/READMORE]
Eric Reader, the senior vice president and chief operating officer of Washington, D.C.-based travel agency Connoisseur Travel, said he wouldn't recommend the Trump brand even if the chain belonged to his travel association.
"It's not an environment that you would want to send your high-end clients to regardless of what your political beliefs may or may not be," Reader told CNN Money. "I wouldn't want to walk through a picket line and have to explain myself."
The negativity surrounding the Trump brand already appears to be making an impact. Last week, New York Magazine reported that the hotel's room rates were down dramatically, with one deluxe room even available for half the normal rate.
Interestingly, a large portion of Trump's most steadfast supporters are blue-collar workers hoping he can shake things up in Washington, but even if they stick by him post-election, it seems unlikely that they'll be booking a stay at Trump International - a hotel that targets luxury travelers and high-end visitors.
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