Tempe's early estimate of an $887,000 economic boost to the city, which was based on 1,000 media coming to the area, may double due to an extra 1,500 media.
"Our estimate was fairly low," said Tempe Convention and Visitor Bureau spokeswoman Toni Graham. "The national and international media coverage that Tempe and ASU got was invaluable."
Though University Drive and Mill Avenue restaurants and retail stores did not see the success they hoped for, hotels seemed more pleased.
The initial $887,000 estimate was based on figures that Tempe was given by St. Louis officials, where the second 2004 presidential debate and previous debates were held.
About 2,500 media were present at the debate, according to Graham.
Actual figures of economic impact have not been released, and the date of their release has not been announced. Tempe Convention and Visitor's Bureau officials are still waiting to get figures from hotels, Graham said.
"I think we should have a presidential debate monthly," said Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel general manager Sandy Arnold. "And weekly in the summer."
General manager Gary Bowers of Ramada Tempe, 1701 W. Baseline Road, said the hotel had a 40 percent to 50 percent increase in business mid- week.
"It really helped my Tuesday and Wednesday," Bowers said.
Arnold said she worried that people not associated with the debate would avoid the Sheraton, which is located at 1600 S. 52nd St., but that was not the case.
"We had no direct businesses, but because of the compression of other hotels near Gammage, business came our way," she said.
Room service business also increased, and Sheraton lounge televisions were tuned to the debate.
"There was a lot of activity in the lounge," Arnold said.
America West Airlines spokesman Carlo Bertolini said the debate, like any other national event, benefits the airline's business.
He said the business was "less extreme" than the Super Bowl because the sporting event attracts more fans who travel with their teams.
Reach the reporter at katherine.ruark@asu.edu.
