Washington, capital of cool, aims to attract young British travellers
Washington DC is vying with other major US cities to attract younger British travellers with the message that the US capital is cool, affordable and easy to get around.
It’s also promoting the fact that it provides easy access to America’s ‘horse and wine’ country, with Virginia just across the river.
Speaking during a trade mission to London this week, CEO of Destination DC Elliott Ferguson said new budget hotel openings had recently made Washington DC even more affordable. These include The Pod, which opened less than 18-months ago, and The Moxy Washington, which had its soft opening last December. Other budget hotels, including Generator and citizenM will open this year and next.
DC has a total of 18 hotels in the pipeline in the next couple of years.
In addition to its affordable accommodation, the city has 19 free museums and free entry to its zoo, plus many free monuments. "The cost of entertainment during the day is literally zero," said Ferguson. "In the evening, there is nightlife, a diverse range of restaurants, and sporting events that are appealing to younger travellers."
The UK is Washington DC’s second largest international market and it attracted 166, 000 British visitors in 2017, which was a low single digit increase on the previous year.
While visitors often combine Washington DC with other cities on the US east coast, with Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York all within an easy train ride away, the tourist board wants to encourage them to stay longer in the wider Capital Region, which includes Virginia and Maryland.
Direct flights from the UK means it’s easily accessible, said Ferguson, and from next year there will be a new metro link straight from Washington Dulles airport to Downtown DC.
"I’d encourage agents who don’t know much about Washington DC to take a look at our website Washington.org to see all the cool things we have to offer," added Ferguson. The site includes an area specifically for the travel trade.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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