Destination DC (DDC) has announced that more people visited the nation’s capital in 2023 than ever before. In all, Washington, D.C. welcomed 25.95 million total visitors last year, up 17 percent from 2022 and surpassing the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. The new benchmark resulted in a record $10.2 billion in visitor spending and supported a record 102,366 local jobs.
“This is a major milestone for Washington, DC,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. “Put simply, we are seeing the results of our increased marketing and sales efforts thanks to the tourism recovery district legislation, and the city is benefiting from increased tourism. There is still work to do, however, since international travel hasn’t fully recovered. The additional funding allows us to continue to entice international visitors who stay longer and spend more.”
Of the record 25.95 million total visitors, 24 million traveled domestically. That means domestic visitation has fully rebounded to 105 percent of 2019 figures. International visitation continues to trend towards pre-pandemic levels. The 1.95 million international visitors indicate an 85 percent return, but a 40 percent increase year-over-year. International travelers typically stay longer and spend twice as much as their domestic counterparts.
The data underscores the importance of increased tourism to the city’s economy, with visitor spending up 29 percent and local jobs created from tourism up 25 percent year-over-year, respectively.
DDC launched its creative campaign, “There’s Only One DC,” last November, spotlighting its diversity of experiences and free things to do. Additional funding through the tourism recovery district has enabled DDC to ensure the messaging reaches potential travelers. “There’s Only One DC” has the largest reach of any DDC campaign to date.
This summer is highlighted by the reopening of the Folger Shakespeare Library (June 21), a Capitol Hill landmark which holds the world’s largest Shakespeare collection. DC has a packed calendar of festivals and events, as well as a sports schedule. Capital Pride (May 31-June 9) will serve as a prelude to WorldPride, a two-week festival that could bring millions to the nation’s capital in 2025. In addition, the 75th NATO Summit will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (July 9-11).
A new tech-driven White House visitors center, The People’s House, opens this fall, as does the city’s first Arlo hotel. DDC’s news coincides with an announcement from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: two giant pandas are returning by the end of the year. The zoo will be one of only two in the U.S. to see the animals, and the only one with free entry.
For more information, visit www.washington.org.
Related Stories
Miami-Dade Tourism Market Reaches $30 Billion Economic Impact
Florida Keys Unveils New Programming, Facilities for Groups