D.C. welcomed 16.2M tourists
Washington Business Journal - by Missy Frederick Staff Reporter
Destination D.C. claims 2007 wasn’t as gloomy as statisticians had been projecting.
The tourism group, which released last year’s stats at its annual meeting Wednesday, says visitors to D.C. spent $5.5 billion in 2007, up from $5.24 billion in 2006. That translates into $600 million in tax revenue for the District.
The number of people showing up and spending money went up 7 percent, to 16.2 million visitors; D.C. saw increases primarily in international and business travelers.
Global Insight, an analysis firm, predicts visitation will remain relatively flat this year for D.C., with international visitors continuing to come to the area, particularly those from Germany.
According to Bill Hanbury, chief executive of Destination D.C., this year and next yeah present some prime opportunities for showing off the nation’s capital, including the reopening of the National History Museum, the opening of the Capital Visitors Center, the Lincoln Bicentennial and the Frozen Four college hockey tournament. And D.C. will again get a starring film role — this time in the “Night At the Museum” sequel, subtitled “Battle of the Smithsonian.”
Related Industry News |
Latest News |
Most Viewed Stories |
Most Emailed Stories |
