More than 27m people visited the the US capital in 2024 – a new record – Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organisation for Washington, DC, has announced*. The figure surpasses the previous benchmark, set in 2023, by 1.25m visitors. The record-setting visitation resulted in record economic impact: $11.4bn in visitor spending, $2.3bn in tax revenue and 111,500 jobs supported.

The record-setting visitation and economic impact directly follow increased investment in DDC’s marketing and sales efforts through tourism recovery district funding. There is an immediate return on investment from the first full year of the TRD. An independent ROI study shows a two-to-one return on every dollar spent.

Of the 27.2m total visitors, 25m domestic travellers exceed last year’s total by one million. The 2.2m international visitors represent 10% year-over-year growth. International visitors stay longer and spend twice as much as their domestic counterparts. In 2024, international travellers to Washington, DC accounted for 8% of visitation but 27% of spending.

“Washington, DC has welcomed more people than ever before for the second straight year. As an economic development organisation, I am equally excited to see the direct results of increased investment in tourism returned to the city’s economy. The impact of visitation is immediate and it’s a big deal for DC’s bottom line,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of DDC. “As we celebrate the 2024 figures, however, we are cognisant 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.”

Within the record domestic visitation growth, a third are business travellers, who make up 45% of domestic spending.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city was “leaning in heavy on sports and other parts of the live entertainment industry, like theatre and conventions. Because when people fill our streets and sidewalks, fill our bars and restaurants, and fill our hotels and convention centre – that’s good for jobs, good for revenue, and good for DC.”

DDC’s award-winning $27m domestic and international creative campaign, “There’s Only One DC,” also completed its first full year in 2024. The impact resulted in more hotel room nights for the city.
Campaign content connects to washington.org, where potential visitors can book stays directly and discover hotel deals, event listings, dining and itinerary inspiration. The newly launched District Blog is updated weekly with timely guides and helpful stories for every part of a visitor’s journey.

However, as of March 2025, Tourism Economics was forecasting a 6.5% decrease in international visitation to DC in 2025, slightly less than the projected 9.4% decrease in international visitation to the US. Top international markets for visitation in 2024 (in descending order) were: Canada, United Kingdom, India, Germany, China, France, South Korea, Mexico, Italy and Spain.

The new data was revealed during DDC’s Travel Rally, held annually with the US Travel Association, which focuses on ways to make travel easier. The event took place at Nationals Park, as the Washington Nationals celebrate their 20th anniversary with exciting events and promotions throughout the season. DC is the Capital of Sports, with nearby Audi Field hosting three premier matches of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in late June and the District’s iconic landmarks, including the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue, hosting the 2027 NFL Draft.

In 2026, America’s 250th anniversary presents a major opportunity to drive visitation and the nation’s capital will serve as center stage for the year-long commemoration, with special events and thematic exhibitions throughout the city’s cultural institutions, museums, attractions, restaurants and hotels. Find details of the celebration at DC250.us.

Additional anticipated openings in DC next year include the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, expansion of the National Air and Space Museum, the largest renovation in the 50-year history of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and a new concourse at Dulles International Airport.

*Sources for the DC visitation data: MMGY Travel Intelligence, S&P Global Market Intelligence, National Travel & Tourism Office, US Department of Commerce.