India top spending market for Washington, DC in 2025

Washington, DC sees growth in visitation in 2025. Over 27.2 million visitors power city’s economy, as domestic visitation trends slightly upward. India top spender and #2 market in international visitation.

For the third year in a row, Washington, DC’s tourism industry set a record for visitation and economic impact. More than 27.2 million people visited the nation’s capital in 2025, modestly surpassing the previous year’s record by 20,000 visitors. Despite overall visitation remaining on par with 2024, Destination DC, the city’s official destination marketing organization, announced record economic impact from tourism: $11.9 billion in visitor spending, $2.4 billion in tax revenue and 114,013 jobs supported. 

India remains a standout market for Washington, DC in 2025. It is DC’s top market for spend and second for international visitor volume. Surpassing the United Kingdom, Indian travelers generated approximately $342.7 million in visitor spending and continued to outperform pre-pandemic visitation levels, reinforcing the market’s long-term strategic value for Washington, DC tourism.

“India continues to be one of Washington, DC’s most valuable international markets, with travelers contributing significant economic impact through longer stays and higher visitor spending,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC. “The strong interest from Indian travelers in DC’s educational, cultural and premium experiences reinforces the importance of maintaining visibility and strong partnerships in this critical growth market.”

Of the 27.2 million overall visitors, 25.1 million traveled domestically – a slight increase year-over-year. International visitation, however, declined by 4 percent – performing better than the 5.5 percent decline to the U.S. overall.

“The fact that Washington, DC saw record economic impact for the third straight year, especially in a challenging global environment, speaks to both the enduring appeal of our destination and efficacy of our sales and marketing.  As we celebrate that, however, we remain steadfast in our efforts to entice international visitors that stay longer and spend more. Overall, the record economic contribution from visitation creates immediate impact. That’s why now is the time to reinvest in marketing, because when DDC has additional dollars to spend and a steady source of funding, the city sees bigger returns,” Ferguson said.

The data demonstrates the success and importance of tourism marketing and sales efforts. From April 2023-October 2025, DDC received an additional one percent of the hotel tax through the tourism recovery district (TRD). This resulted in immediate economic returns for the city, local businesses and DC residents. According to an ROI study with the DC Office of the CFO and Future Partners, a leading tourism research company, DDC’s $19.5 million spring and summer 2025 advertising campaign directly drove $41.3 million in tax revenue for the city and $470 million in visitor spending. That means every $1 spent on advertising generated more than $2 in tax revenue and $24 in visitor spending. This revenue supported city services that benefit all Washingtonians. The city’s fiscal year 2026 budget, however, reallocated TRD funding. The DC Council provided a $6 million earmark to DDC for marketing and sales efforts, but DDC’s overall advertising budget was cut by two-thirds.

“We live in the best and most beautiful city in the world, with fantastic restaurants and hotels, great parks and a public transit system that takes you all over the city and region. And we love to show off our city to visitors from across the country and around the world,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We had some great events last year, like World Pride and the FIFA Club World Cup, and this summer we have a full lineup of America 250 events. So, we want people to check out all we have to offer, book their trips and come visit us in Washington, DC.”

Destination DC remains agile to meet consumer sentiment. As part of its award-winning marketing campaign, There’s Only One DC, a new video series entitled We the People DC humanizes the city through stories of DC residents. Campaign content connects to washington.org and DC250.us, a microsite for America’s 250^th anniversary where potential visitors can discover hotel deals, itinerary inspiration, local history and a year-long calendar of events. Editorial coverage complements paid and owned channels.

Throughout 2026, the nation’s 250^th anniversary presents a major opportunity to drive visitation, with the city as center stage with a year-long commemoration. No place tells America’s story as vividly as Washington, DC, the only place to see the Declaration of Independence and the best place to discover its impact. Experiences that set DC apart include the value of the city’s free attractions, thought-provoking historic exhibitions, free festivals and modern experiences such as highly anticipated theater and acclaimed global cuisine. More than two dozen DC250 hotel packages encourage visitors to stay overnight, and forward-looking indicators are signaling strong demand for the July 4 period.

“The continued growth in tourism’s economic impact in Washington, DC, speaks to the strength of the destination and its global appeal. International visitors tend to stay longer, spend more and build deeper connections to the United States,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO, Brand USA. “As we look ahead to major moments like America’s 250^th anniversary, destinations like DC will play an important role in inspiring global travelers to visit.”

Major openings add to the momentum of a blockbuster summer, including the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, an innovative museum underneath the Lincoln Memorial, expansion of the National Air and Space Museum on its 50^th anniversary, an improved Tidal Basin with new exhibits at the Jefferson Memorial and the African American Civil War Memorial Museum.

The nation’s capital is also a premier destination for meetings, conventions and events. In 2026, there are 18 citywide conventions (groups with 2,500 rooms on peak), with approximately 376,000 total room nights, 246,000 attendees and an estimated $317 million in economic impact.

DC250 extends beyond July, with August’s Indy Car race, Summer Restaurant Week, DC JazzFest, Theatre Week, the 10^th anniversary of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the largest renovation in the 50-year history of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, a new concourse at Dulles International Airport and the dedication of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial. Excitement is also building for the 2027 NFL Draft to be held across the city’s iconic landmarks next April.

Washington, DC Visitation Data: *

• In 2025, DC welcomed 27.2 million visitors, surpassing 2024 record by 20,000 visitors
  • 25.1 million domestic; 2.1 million international
• In 2024, DC welcomed a then-record setting 27.2 million visitors
  • 25 million domestic; 2.2 million international
• In 2023, DC welcomed 25.95 million visitors
  • 24 million domestic; 1.95 million international
• Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, DC welcomed 25.1 million total visitors
  • 22.8 million domestic; 2.3 million international
• In summary, total visitation grew by 20,000 year-over-year, as domestic visitation increased by 0.4% and international visitation declined by 4%.

Visitation Impact:

• Spending:
  • In 2025, visitors spent a record $11.9 billion, up 4%.
    • In 2024, visitors spent $11.4 billion.
• Jobs:
  • In 2025, visitors supported a record 114,013 jobs, up 2%.
    • In 2024, visitors supported 111,500 jobs.
• Tax Revenue:
  • In 2025, visitors generated a record $2.4 billion in tax revenue, up 4%.
    • In 2024, visitors generated $2.3 billion in tax revenue.

International Visitation:

• Top international markets (in descending order): Canada, India, United Kingdom, Germany, China, France, Mexico, South Korea, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Australia, Japan
• India moved from DC’s #3 international visitation market in 2024 to #2 in 2025, surpassing the United Kingdom.
• Indian visitation to DC remained approximately 22% above 2019 levels.
• India remained DC’s #1 international spending market in 2025, generating approximately $342.7 million in visitor spending.