The White House confirmed yesterday Mr Obama's rescheduled trip to the region would go ahead, culminating in the President addressing the Australian Parliament on Friday, March 26.

But his huge entourage, expected to number more than 500, will get accommodation preference over Australian MPs and senators returning to Canberra for the presidential speech.

And tourists flocking to the capital to see the Masterspieces from Paris art exhibition at the National Gallery could similarly miss out on a bed.

The Australian Hotels Association said there were still some rooms left in Canberra for next week but visitors would need to act quickly to secure them.

ACT branch manager Steven Fanner said all the competing events in Canberra meant accommodation was going to be tight.

''The Obama people will be fine because they booked well ahead of everybody else and although the dates have changed slightly, they still fall within the window that was originally outlined,'' he said.

''Everybody else though will have to be quick. MPs and their staff coming back unexpectedly and tourists that haven't booked for the masters will find it very difficult if they don't book now. But there are a few rooms available across the city and across most price ranges.''

The Government confirmed yesterday that getting federal politicians and their staff housed next Thursday was difficult because of the late changes to the President's itinerary.

Parliament is only likely to be recalled for Friday and only for the President's speech. An announcement on those logistics is expected soon.

Mr Obama will fly into Canberra on Thursday evening to dine with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The next day he will meet Governor-General Quentin Bryce, hold bilateral talks with Mr Rudd and join in a number of short ceremonies to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Australia-US alliance.

For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.