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Washington D.C. Is Targeting More Markets in India For Tourists

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Washington D.C. Is Targeting More Markets in India For Tourists


Skift Take

Think Washington D.C. is all business suits and formal wear? Destination DC’s CEO wants you to think again.

Elliott Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC, knows what’s needed to boost Indian arrivals to the U.S. capital.

Along with others in the travel industry, Ferguson calls out the U.S. visa process as the primary hurdle for Indian travelers. Despite some improvements, the wait for a visa interview still exceeds 300 days.

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“Economically, the U.S. understands the importance of tourism, but if we do not make it easier for the international tourists to come into the country, we’re missing out on opportunities,” Ferguson told Skift during his recent trip to India.

And while the average stay of an Indian tourist coming in to Washington is 3.5 nights, Ferguson said they are targeting day trippers, who come to the city thinking there won’t be much to see and do.

“We want visitors to really experience America as a whole — we only wish that they start their trip in Washington and end it in the city as we want them to stay for more than just a night.”

More Nonstop Flights and Targeting More Markets

The increase in Indian arrivals has been encouraging. Ferguson, said Washington D.C. had more than 147,000 visitors from India in 2023, a 50% increase from 2022 and 11% ahead of pre-pandemic numbers.

Ferguson identified the need for more nonstop flights.

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Currently Air India is the only airline flying direct between Delhi and Washington. Before Covid, Washington D.C. had more direct flights connecting it with Indian cities.

Ferguson also emphasized the importance of targeting key markets beyond Delhi and Mumbai, focusing on cities like Goa, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Ludhiana and Chandigarh.

D.C.’s Image

Washington D.C. is the seventh most visited destination in the U.S. by the overseas global community. Ferguson acknowledged that being a small city with 700,000 people, the city can’t accommodate 40 million visitors, and can never by Number 1. But he wants to make sure that more international overseas tourists are aware of what Washington has to offer.

He wants to dispel Washington’s “serious” image, let visitors to know that the city is also fun.

Washington DC. is also a popular destination for business travel, as well meetings, incentives, conventions and events. Happy with the performance in that sector, Ferguson said Destination DC wants to make sure that 60% of trade shows in Washington are international.

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“However, trade shows are saying that they are not seeing countries like China and India come because of how long it takes to get a visa. We want to make it easier to get these people to come into our country,” he said.

Ferguson said that for now the city would be targeting the 4 million U.S. visas that are already held by Indians. The U.S. Embassy in India usually issues tourist visas for a 10-year period. “So there’s a targeted market there that we continue to focus on,” he said.

Discussions at the Skift India Summit taking place in Delhi-NCR from March 19-20, will center around the outbound Indian traveler.

Skift India Summit Registration

Discounted price of $495 (Solo) and $445 (Group) for a limited time only. Full-price tickets are $745 (Solo) and $695 (Group).

Please read our FAQ for details about refunds, safety procedures, and other details.

Subscriber Benefits

Subscribers to Skift Research, Skift Pro, Daily Lodging Report, Skift Short-Term Rental Report, and Airline Weekly receive discounts off full-price tickets to in-person events. Visit our Subscriber Benefits page to find your discount code. 

Online Attendees

A limited number of free online tickets will be released in the spring for paid subscribers.



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Washington, D.C

Bruno Mars tour 2026 coming to DC region

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Bruno Mars tour 2026 coming to DC region


Bruno Mars is bringing The Romantic Tour to the Washington, D.C. region this spring!

The Grammy-winning star will stop at Northwest Stadium on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

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The stadium’s website lets fans sign up for presale access now. Tickets go on sale Thursday, January 15 at 12 p.m.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: Bruno Mars performs onstage during the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Bruno Mars – The Romantic Tour 2026 DatesApril – October 2026

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Apr 10, 2026 – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV

Apr 14, 2026 – State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Apr 18, 2026 – Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX

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Apr 22, 2026 – NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

Apr 25, 2026 – Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field, Atlanta, GA

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Apr 29, 2026 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

May 02, 2026 – Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD

May 06, 2026 – Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

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May 09, 2026 – Ford Field, Detroit, MI

May 13, 2026 – U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

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May 16, 2026 – Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago, IL

May 20, 2026 – Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

May 23, 2026 – Rogers Stadium, Toronto, ON

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May 24, 2026 – Rogers Stadium, Toronto, ON

Jun 20, 2026 – Stade de France, Paris, FR

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Jun 21, 2026 – Stade de France, Paris, FR

Jun 26, 2026 – Olympiastadion, Berlin, DE

Jul 04, 2026 – Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam, NL

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Jul 05, 2026 – Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam, NL

Jul 10, 2026 – Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, ES

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Jul 14, 2026 – Stadio San Siro, Milan, IT

Jul 18, 2026 – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, London, UK

Jul 19, 2026 – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE, London, UK

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Aug 21, 2026 – Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Aug 22, 2026 – Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

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Aug 29, 2026 – Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Sep 01, 2026 – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

Sep 05, 2026 – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

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Sep 09, 2026 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

Sep 12, 2026 – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

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Sep 16, 2026 – Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Sep 19, 2026 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL

Sep 23, 2026 – Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

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Sep 26, 2026 – Falcon Stadium, United States Air Force Academy, CO

Oct 02, 2026 – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

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Oct 03, 2026 – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

Oct 10, 2026 – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

Oct 14, 2026 – BC Place, Vancouver, BC

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More information on the tour can be found online.

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‘Completely avoidable’: DC’s mayor reacts to ICE killing in Minneapolis

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‘Completely avoidable’: DC’s mayor reacts to ICE killing in Minneapolis


D.C.’s mayor and interim police chief took questions on immigration enforcement after an ICE agent shot and killed an unarmed woman in Minneapolis.

“If we don’t want ICE in our communities, we have to stop funding ICE – and that decision isn’t made here; it’s made at the Congress,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said.

The mayor was asked about her reaction to the killing.

“To me, it just is reflected, when you have people who are unaccustomed to urban policing trying to police in an urban environment. What it looked to me like – very bad, and I’m not a police officer, I’m not in law enforcement – but what I saw was completely avoidable, and a woman died,” she said.

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“ICE is patrolling American cities. If we don’t want that, the Congress has to stop funding ICE, because thousands of agents who are untrained to police in urban environments are on our streets,” Bowser added.

In two recent incidents in D.C., federal agents opened fire on drivers who the agents claimed were trying to hit them with their vehicles. In those cases, no one was injured.

Interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll was asked about public concerns that might happen here again.

“A lot of these individuals, they don’t work in urban policing. So, us working with federal authorities in the policing operations, being out there, actually helps us make sure that we can work in those areas to help control what’s going on,” he said.

“Obviously, I can’t assure you of anything. Obviously, I can assure you every situation is different, right, that officers encounter out there,” he added. “But I think having the relationship and having the federal authorities working with the officers does help to mitigate some of the challenges that we have with that.”

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Nadeau’s report on DC cooperation with immigration enforcement

Departing D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau released a scathing report Thursday that’s critical of how MPD and the Bowser administration have cooperated with federal immigration enforcement.

“The primary finding is the loss of trust between the public and MPD,” she told News4. “The challenge that we’re finding is that the mayor and the chief’s interpretation of the Sanctuary Values Act has opened up a vulnerability whereby they are essentially cooperating with ICE in a manner that does not match with the intent of the law.”

Bowser declined to comment on the report.

Carroll said he has not decided whether to make any changes to MPD policies on cooperating with immigration enforcement.

Last month, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who oversees public safety, sent a letter to the then-chief requesting detailed answers to several questions related to MPD’s cooperation with federal law enforcement. Carroll said Thursday that he will provide a response, which is due to the council by Friday.

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In this 4 More Context, News4’s Ted Oberg explains how many people in the D.C. area have been arrested by ICE and why.



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DC weather: Dry, mild Thursday with highs in mid 50s; rainy start to weekend

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DC weather: Dry, mild Thursday with highs in mid 50s; rainy start to weekend


A dry and mild Thursday is ahead for the Washington, D.C., region, with highs in the mid‑50s before a rainy start to the weekend.

What we know:

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The morning begins on the chilly side with some patchy fog. FOX 5’s Taylor Grenda says conditions stay dry as temperatures climb into the afternoon, with clouds building by evening.

Rain showers may develop late Friday afternoon into the evening, with highs in the upper 50s.

What’s next:

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Steadier rain moves in Saturday morning. Temperatures rise into the 60s, but on‑and‑off rain is expected through the afternoon and evening.

Sunday turns much drier, though highs fall back into the 50s. By Monday, colder air returns with highs in the 40s.

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DC weather: Dry, mild Thursday with highs in mid 50s; rainy start to weekend

The Source: Information in this article comes from the FOX 5 Weather Team and the National Weather Service. 

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