Find out where DC has been in the news this month and what's new with the marketing team.
Destination DC's (DDC) marketing and communications strategy supports economic development through tourism by reaching potential visitors and inspiring them to travel to the nation’s capital. The current cross-channel promotional efforts are focused on fall travel across editorial and content development.
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Media Coverage
Domestic
For pandas and WorldPride, The New York Times puts Washington, DC on its prestigious list of 52 Places to Go in 2025. Condé Nast names Washington, DC one of the 10 best cities to visit in the U.S. in 2025 and one of the 10 best dining destinations in the world. Following a hosted visit, Esquire lists a DC hotspot on its esteemed list of best new restaurants. Time Out covers the city’s newest Michelin-starred restaurants and DC is nominated for GayCities’ “Flavors Worth the Flight.” Passport names a DC hotel one of the best-kept secrets, while Washingtonian highlights hotels that emphasize sleep wellness. The Washington Business Journal, WTOP and Fox 5 cover hotel bookings for inauguration.
International
The German and UK markets showcase top views in DC from rooftops to leaf peeping, while Wanderlust (UK) lists places to learn about Black history. Brazil’s Catraca Livre and Miipylist highlight DC’s affordability and accessibility. Donde Ir (Mexico) mentions 10 members to see for winter in the city and France’s Rove.me showcases the National Christmas Tree Lighting. Canada’s MyVanCity builds excitement for the return of the giant pandas to DC.
Trade
Hotel members made news in Meetings Today and Northstar Meetings. DDC announced executive and senior staff promotions and Elliott’s Brand USA chair appointment, which received coverage in more than 10 publications, including Conference and Meetings World, Convention South, Convene and Travel and Tour World. DDC staff collaborated on an industry white paper focused on the DEI Business Fellowship program, published in the International Journal of Business Events and Legacies.
Marketing Highlights
Inauguration content and messaging
With the first in-person U.S. Presidential Inauguration since 2017 set for Jan. 20, our teams are keeping potential visitors informed of what to expect during their visit with two dedicated pieces on washington.org: our Guide to Inauguration and FAQs, both of which are updated frequently. The communications team continues to inform media and stakeholders that DC’s leadership and partners are coordinated at all levels to ensure visitors from all backgrounds feel welcome in the city during the inauguration.
Leisure-facing content update
As 2025 kicks off, washington.org showcases an array of upcoming events and seasonal activities to entice visitation to the nation's capital. Potential visitors can read about the Washington Auto Show and Winter Restaurant Week, both taking place later this month. New and updated content also includes date ideas (in the spirit of Valentine's Day), ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year and DC's Black history and culture (with Black History Month approaching) as well as can't-miss events for the upcoming National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Social Highlights
Leisure Social
DC’s holiday spirit lit up our leisure social channels in December! Hotel holiday decor, trees at the Canadian Embassy and the U.S. Capitol and the National Mistletoe stole the show. We spotlighted #Only1DC winter activities, like ice skating at The Wharf or the National Building Museum, attending the Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker and exploring dazzling holiday light shows and events around the city. Our influencer partner @cass_andthecity shared her DC holiday bucket list. To wrap up the year, we collected our top 10 most-loved DC moments of 2024 on Instagram and bade farewell to the year with a special TikTok send-off.
Industry Social
Industry channels welcomed the American Geophysical Union to Washington, DC and rang in the holiday season with a staff celebration, spirit days and member event. Staff highlights included celebrating our Employee of the Quarter, December milestone anniversaries and executive team and senior staff promotions. We also hosted a Chinese delegation and promoted our 2025 Event Planning Guide. Plus, our President & CEO Elliott Ferguson has been appointed the 2025 Board Chair for Brand USA.
