DC Travel Rally Proclaims Impact Of Hospitality & Tourism Industry

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leadership from Washington, DC's hospitality and tourism industry confirmed today that 2015 is the sixth consecutive record-breaking year for domestic visitation at Destination DC's annual Travel Rally themed "Travel's Winning Formula."

In 2015, domestic visitation to Washington, DC topped 19.3 million, according to a report prepared by D.K. Shifflet, an increase of 5.3% over 2014. Visitors to DC spent $7.1 billion, according to IHS Global, Inc., a year-over-year increase of 4.1%. The rally coincides with the U.S. Travel Association's National Travel and Tourism Week, May 1-7, 2016.

"In 2015 DC welcomed one million more domestic visitors than it did in 2014," said Elliott L. Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC, the official tourism and marketing office for the District. "Visitor spending was up $300 million over the previous year. These coveted numbers represent the impact of tourism investment in the nation's capital. The return on investment study that we commissioned from Destination Analysts determined last year's spring and summer advertising shows that our city received $2.65 in taxes for every $1 we spent."

2015 marks the first year that visitor spending has surpassed $7 billion and the fifth consecutive year that it surpassed $6 billion. Spending on accommodations grew by 5.3%. The retail sector grew by 4.7%. Spending on food and beverage was up 5.1% while entertainment spending was up 2.6% over 2014 as well, indicating movement away from cautious recessionary spending.

"I applaud Destination DC for helping us show the world what DC has to offer," said Mayor Muriel Bowser. "Year after year, more visitors are coming to the District, which is a huge boon to our city. Tourism is one of our strongest sectors, yielding jobs for our residents and dollars for our local economy." 

Destination DC debuted new DC Cool creative in color with its largest summer advertising campaign, in market May 1. For the second year, an in-house television commercial was produced and will be seen in key feeder markets in the northeast corridor. A supporting print campaign will run in popular regional magazines including Boston Magazine, The New Yorker and New York Magazine.

The redesigned washington.org also launches Tuesday, strongly emphasizing the charms of DC's neighborhoods and maximizing user-generated content.

"Destination DC does a fantastic job building awareness of everything the city has to offer, and their hard work is evident in their record-breaking number of visitors and tourism spending," remarked U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. "This is a city that benefits from civic leadership that clearly sees travel is a primary industry that creates jobs and economic opportunity."

In 2016, Washington, DC will welcome a total of 15 city-wide conventions with an estimated total economic impact of $277.9 million. Highlights include American Alliance of Museums Annual Convention (May 27-29) and Society for Human Resource Management Annual Conference & Expo (June 19-22).

"Events DC remains committed to driving premier event experiences across the city while acting as an economic engine for Washington, DC through the growth and attraction of major events held at our venues and beyond," said Gregory A. O'Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC.  "The 450+ events that we hosted, produced and sponsored during Fiscal Year 2015 generated an estimated $415 million in visitor spending for DC. This is economic impact that supports thousands of jobs in the District's largest private sector industry. We are proud to continue to promote the future of our travel and hospitality industry through the Walter E. Washington Convention Center's continued citywide meeting success."

Washington, DC will also play host to familiar traditions and special events in 2016 including the DC Jazz Festival, spectacular July Fourth celebrations on the National Mall, tennis seeds at the Citi Open; the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 24 and the reopening of the East Building of the National Gallery of Art a week later.

Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 850 businesses committed to marketing the District as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Visit washington.org for more information.

SOURCE Destination DC

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