To spice up tourism, DC will present $25,000 to five individuals keen to host an occasion the District | WDVM25 & DCW50

WASHINGTON (WDVM) – Destination DC, the district’s official destination marketing organization, and Mayor Muriel Bowser previewed the future of the district’s tourism and hospitality industries after suffering a severe blow during the pandemic.

The President and CEO of Bowser and DDC hosted Audi Field’s annual Travel Rally, which recently reopened to fans. Almost all of the DC Public Schools graduation ceremonies will also take place in the soccer stadium.

According to DDC, 72% of people who have traveled in the past two years are planning a leisure trip this summer, but less than 50% have made reservations. DDC partnered with Events DC to launch a $ 2.5 million advertising campaign to encourage Marylanders and Virginians who live within a four-hour drive of DC to travel.

DC is upping the ante with its Shop, Eat, Play, and Stay Giveaway, which awards five grand prize winners $ 25,000 to host an event in the district. “And 46 winners will receive between $ 500 and $ 10,000 to spend at restaurants, entertainment venues, and hotels in DC.”

DC lost an estimated $ 603 million to 61 major events that were canceled last year.

Between March 2020 and March 2021, visitor spend declined 68%, or $ 6.1 billion. The district lost $ 477 million in tax revenue from visitor spending and DC Hotels lost $ 2.1 billion in revenue. 42,200 jobs were lost.