The number of travelers who came to D.C. increased in 2021, but the total still remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
Travel industry officials said local tourism growth plans involve targeting international visitors, who tend to spend more. Before the pandemic, international visitors made up about 7 percent of travelers to the nation’s capital but spent 27 percent of all tourism dollars in the city.
“With a concerted effort to address today’s head winds — including slow-to-return business travel and government-induced obstacles for international visitors — we’re confident that Washington, D.C., and the nation can achieve a full recovery,” he said. Ferguson said the second phase of the Wharf development is set to open this fall. Across the city, at least 26 new hotels or renovations are in the pipeline, which will add about 5,900 new or improved rooms. The recentin downtown Washington over the Juneteenth weekend is another example of the city’s efforts to expand event offerings, Ferguson said.