Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organisation for Washington DC, conducted a three-city trade, sales and media mission in India from 20-25 January to promote the city’s new tourist attractions as well as the latest visitation numbers, in partnership with Capital Region USA (CRUSA).

The delegation visited Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai, reaching out to over 300 travel partners and meeting with more than 20 publications. “India is Washington DC’s third overseas market and visitation to DC has more than doubled in the last five years with 117,00 visitors in 2018,” said Elliott L. Ferguson president and CEO of DDC.

With USD 13.9 billion in development underway, new hotel inventory and attractions are a major draw for visitors in the coming year. There are 15 new hotels with more than 3,147 rooms in the pipeline to the city, including new brands like the Thompson Washington, DC which opened earlier this month in Capitol Riverfront, the Riggs Washington DC opening in February 2020 and France’s MOB Hotel opening in DC’s NoMa neighborhood later this year.

In partnership with DDC, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Maryland Office of Tourism Development and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, CRUSA promotes extended stays in the region by offering travellers a variety of attractions and excursions to explore.