Tourism News & Events

Brand USA Italy Mission (April 7-14, Rome, Milan and Turin, Italy)
Attendee: Letizia Sirtori
In partnership with Brand USA, DDC has been invited to attend the first sales mission to Italy. Washington has been identified as one of the US destinations with the greatest potential in the Italian market. The mission includes destination training and meetings with product and marketing managers. A final event will include a roundtable to discuss DEI and accessibility with media and travel trade.

UK/London Spring Activation (April 12-13, London, United Kingdom)
Attendees: Elliott Ferguson, Robin McClain, Theresa Belpulsi, Torri Christian, Letizia Sirtori, Miriam Chovanec
In partnership with Brand USA and United Airlines, DDC is hosting a consumer activation at London's King's Cross station on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13. King’s Cross station is a major transit hub not only for the UK, but for peripheral European markets with travelers arriving on the Eurostar Train. The dynamic event aims to elevate destination awareness and drive future bookings. DDC is working with five leading tour operators who have created exclusive travel packages to inspire and facilitate the travel planning process. DDC will also host a media luncheon for top-tier journalists. 

Brand USA Canada MegaFAM (April 12-14, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Lindsay Hill, Erika Jones, Bianca Corallo
In partnership with Brand USA, the tourism team will welcome 10 top-selling agents from Canada to experience our destination. Agents will have participated in a booking incentive with Air Canada, requiring completion of training on platforms designed to enhance their knowledge of DC.

SWISS FAM (April 12-14, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Letizia Sirtori, Lindsay Hill, Erika Jones, Bianca Corallo
In partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the tourism team will welcome a 45-person FAM to DC to highlight Swiss International Air Lines’ new nonstop service between Zurich and Dulles International Airport. The group will include travel agents, journalists, social media managers and influencers. 

CRUSA Germany & Switzerland Sales Mission (April 13-20, Hamburg, Berlin, Leipzig, Zurich)
Attendees: Darren Gan

In partnership with Capital Region USA, Darren will conduct meetings and trainings with tour operators such as Sunwave Reisen, CRD Touristik, CANUSA Touristik in Hamburg, Meso Reisen and USA-Reisen.de in Berlin, and travel agents from Knecht Reisen in Zurich. 

Brand USA/CRUSA Ireland FAM (April 20-22, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Letizia Sirtori, Erika Jones, Bianca Corallo
In partnership with Brand USA, Capital Region USA and United Airlines, the tourism team will welcome eight travel agents from Ireland to experience the Capital Region. The agents selected for the FAM sold the most trips to various US destinations during an incentive program with United Airlines.
 

Sports ETA Symposium (April 22-26, Portland, Oregon)
Attendees: Nick Price, Holly Rattanakone
The Sports ETA Symposium is the annual meeting of the Sports Events & Tourism Association, the only non-profit association for the sports events and tourism industry in the United States. Hundreds of sport tourism professionals and industry partners gather to exchange time, resources, strategies and solutions.

Upcoming Opportunities
Say “thank you” to the motorcoach bus drivers who have helped the District become one of the top group tour destinations in the nation! Join DDC on May 16 at sites throughout the city where you can interact directly with motorcoach drivers and associations, plus place your company’s branded materials in one of the custom gift bags for the event. Register for DC Loves Buses Day today.

March Visitor Experience Stats
Publications distributed: 107,848
Online Requests: 7,750
Calls: 757
Chatbot engagements:16 (live chats)

Our Visitor Services team has been busy answering the following consumer questions:

1. Which area of DC has the best nightlife for senior citizens?
2. What hotel has the best view of the National Mall?
3. What restaurant has the best Parisian food in DC?

Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.