Read the latest updates from Destination DC's tourism team
New Maps & Guides are Available
Destination DC has new 2026-2027 Visitor Maps and the 2026 Fall/Winter Official Visitors Guide available for use at your business. Request your copies through the Member Extranet. For questions, reach out to Visitor Experience Manager Georgia Lucas at georgia@washington.org.
The Washington, DC Welcome & Special Agent Academy
The Washington, DC Welcome offers all members an engaging way to introduce new hires to DC as a world-class tourist destination. Bring learning and discovery to your onboarding with the 10-minute orientation video, or explore the Special Agent Academy for a more immersive experience. Both resources are available in English and Spanish — share them with your HR managers to help your team make the most of the program.
Join us in celebrating members who are putting that learning into action! The National Geographic Museum of Exploration and Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens have earned the DC Expert window cling, recognizing their commitment to welcoming DC’s visitors. We also congratulate the recent Special Agent graduates from DC by Foot and Hotel Madera.
Spotlight
Ontario Motorcoach Association (OMCA) Marketplace (Nov. 3-4, Kitchener, ON, Canada)
Attendees: Georgia Lucas
DDC’s leisure group sales team traveled to the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada to foster relationships and sell new products to Canadian group tour operators. Georgia Lucas met with 41 travel agents at this annual tradeshow.
Winter Magic in DC: A Preview of Enchant and Winter’s Best Festivities (Nov. 9, virtual)
Attendees: Georgia Lucas
DDC and the Enchant team previewed dazzling winter festivals, unforgettable nighttime spectacles and the return of Enchant to Nationals Park in this installment of the quarterly visitor experience webinar series. Watch the replay now on the Member Extranet and share this webinar with your front-line and customer service staff eager to answer visitor questions about the upcoming winter season in DC.
Utour Group China FAM (Nov. 14-15, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Letizia Sirtori, Darren Gan, Erika Jones, Frances Golla
DDC will host agents from Utour Group, one of the leading tour operators in China that focuses on the wholesale and retail of outbound tours, in addition to integrated marketing services.
Diversa 360 Brazil FAM (Nov. 16-20, Washington, DC)
Attendee: Letizia Sirtori, Patricia Najar, Erika Jones, Frances Golla
DDC is partnering with Diversa Tourismo, one of the largest tour operators in Brazil, on a six-month sales campaign designed to promote the U.S. and drive bookings from the Brazilian markets to Washington, DC. The campaign will reach more than 8,000 Brazilian travel advisors, with top-performing agents earning a spot on this exclusive familiarization trip to Washington, DC.
2026 IGLTA Global Convention (Nov. 17-20, Sevilla, Spain)
Team Lead: Theresa Belpulsi, Darren Gan
DDC will participate in the 2026 International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) Convention, the world’s leading global network and resource for LGBTQ+-welcoming tourism businesses. Through 45 pre-scheduled appointments with tour operators specializing in LGBTQ+ travel, DDC will showcase Washington, DC’s inclusive visitor experiences and strengthen the city’s positioning as a leading LGBTQ+ travel destination.
United Airlines Tour Operator UK FAM (Nov. 18-21, Washington, DC)
Attendees: Letizia Sirtori, Erika Jones, Frances Golla
DDC will host a group of tour operators from the top travel companies in the UK. They’ll visit Washington, DC to enjoy first-hand experience of the city’s tourism offerings and to identify potential partners for package inclusion.
National Tour Association (NTA) Travel Exchange (Nov. 16-17, Tulsa, OK)
Attendees: Lindsay Hill
DDC will attend an annual trade show for leisure adult and student group tours. In addition to educational sessions and networking opportunities, Lindsay will conduct over 30 appointments with operators and travel agents from the United States and Canada.
What three major questions have visitors asked?
- Are the National Mall and its museums wheelchair accessible?
- How much longer will the USAA National Monument be available to visit?
- Where do I get tickets for the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft?
October Visitor Experience Stats
Publications distributed: 12,681
Online requests: 1,511
Calls: 108
Chatbot engagements: 341
Check out the full Destination DC Member News to learn more about what's going on this month.
