DC breaks tourism record for 2024 but concerned for international tourists in 2025 – Washington Examiner
In 2024, Washington D.C. reached a record high of 27.2 million visitors, surpassing the previous year’s figures by 1.25 million, generating $2.3 billion in tax revenue. This included 2.2 million international tourists,who are known to spend substantially more than domestic travelers. Mayor Muriel Bowser attributed this success to her “Comeback Plan” aimed at revitalizing the city post-COVID-19. Though,despite the positive 2024 numbers,forecasts suggest a potential 6.5% decline in international tourism for 2025. Destination DC acknowledges the challenges ahead while actively promoting the city as an inclusive destination, anticipating major events like the U.S. 250th birthday celebration in 2026 and the NFL Draft in 2027 to attract more visitors.
DC breaks tourism record for 2024 but concerned for international tourists in 2025
Washington, D.C., had a record number of tourists in 2024, but officials are less optimistic about the city’s outlook for international tourism in 2025.
Destination DC announced Tuesday that 27.2 million people visited the District of Columbia last year, beating the record set in 2023 by 1.25 million and accounting for $2.3 billion in tax revenue for the district. The figure included 2.2 million international visitors, who the organization said tend to spend twice as much as domestic visitors.
Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrated the figures in a statement Tuesday, touting her “Comeback Plan” for the district to rebound from the lockdowns and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier in the decade.
“Two years ago, we released a Comeback Plan focused on bringing people back to D.C. I’m proud that for two years in a row, we’ve welcomed a record number of visitors to our city,” Bowser said. “Many people think of sports, entertainment, and tourism as being fun and games, but as I like to say, it’s also dollars and cents.”
“That is why, with our FY26 Growth Agenda, we’re leaning in heavy on sports and other parts of the live entertainment industry, like theater and conventions. Because when people fill our streets and sidewalks, fill our bars and restaurants, and fill our hotels and convention center — that’s good for jobs, good for revenue, and good for D.C.,” she added.
While the 2024 figures were positive, Destination DC revealed that a March forecast from Tourism Economics is predicting a 6.5% decrease in international tourism to the district for 2025. The organization noted that this figure is better than the projected 9.4% decrease for the U.S. overall.
“As we celebrate the 2024 figures, however, we are cognizant of a different climate in 2025. Destination DC continues to focus on promoting the nation’s capital as a welcoming and inclusive destination, particularly for international visitors. We remain proactive with our offices around the world,” Destination DC President and CEO Elliott L. Ferguson II said in a statement.
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Despite some concern over the 2025 figures, officials are looking forward to several major events in the coming years that they believe will boost tourism.
In 2026, the U.S. will celebrate its 250th birthday with major events across the country and in the nation’s capital, while in 2027, Washington, D.C., will host the NFL Draft. The district also hopes to see an influx of visitors from events occurring in the U.S. outside of Washington, including the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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