When it comes to booking clients on trips to Washington DC, Travel Agents have been making one major error that’s keeping their clients from some seriously cool experiences.
That error is, selling the US capital city as a day trip.
Agents aren’t entirely to blame for the mess up, because according to Washington DC’s tourism leaders, they’re among the many who underestimate the city.
Destination DC’s President & Chief Executive, Elliott L. Ferguson told KARRYON that it’s common for people to assume the capital is just monuments, suits and politics, when it’s actually a culturally thriving hotspot with an exciting nightlife, affordable theatre, extensive shopping and much more.
“When visitors come to DC on a day trip, they always wish they’d stayed longer because there’s so much to see and do.”
Elliott L. Ferguson, Destination DC President & Chief Executive
“Washington DC is one of those cities that you can not do in a day.”
With the majority of Australians visiting Washington DC using Travel Agents, Elliott said he and his team have made it their mission to ensure consultants understand the breadth of in-city offerings, which he believes can be covered during a stay of two-to-four nights.
Among the experiences Aussie visitors have missed out on during their short excursions to DC are the 16 free museums, such as the National Air & Space Museum holding the world’s largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft. There’s also the only national museum devoted to African American life, art, history and culture, the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Outside of the free institutions, DC is home to several unique paid exhibitions such as the popular International Spy Museum, where travellers can learn how Russia, Europe and the US spied on each other during the Cold War.
For those who follow their taste buds around the world, DC was the fourth US city to receive a Michelin Guide, which according to Elliott, “validates how amazing the food scene is”. Dining experiences vary from Hispanic-influenced dishes to Italian meals and right through to great Ethiopian venues that represent the large population of Ethiopians living in the city.
Between meals, visitors can book theatre productions before they hit Broadway and at a lower price, because Washington DC is home to the second largest number of theatre seats outside of New York.
“You’ll catch amazing shows and you’re not spending the same amount that you’ll spend in a city like New York City.”
Elliott L. Ferguson, Destination DC President & Chief Executive
Other highlights of Washington DC include affordable transportation such as $1 hop-on-hop-off buses, which make the city more affordable than other first tier US cities, while the 14 policing agencies within the destination make it one of the safest.
“Washington DC is one of those cities where people will be pleasantly surprised as to how diverse and how much fun it is as a destination,” Elliott added.
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