Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, has successfully concluded its annual sales mission to India, held from August 2-7, 2026 across Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. The multi-city engagement reinforced Destination DC’s continued commitment to the Indian market, bringing together leading travel trade partners and media to showcase the latest experiences, attractions and developments in the U.S. capital.
India remains one of Washington, DC’s most important international markets, ranking first in visitor spending for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025, a position it is projected to retain in 2026. India was also Washington, DC’s second-largest international market by visitation in 2025, trailing only Canada.
Throughout the mission, Destination DC hosted a series of fireside chat sessions, destination-inspired activations, and networking lunches and dinners, creating opportunities to connect with travel advisors, tour operators and media representatives. Attendees participated in interactive experiences tailored to each city, including a mixology workshop in Delhi, an immersive museum-inspired game in Bengaluru, and a traditional block-printing activity in Ahmedabad—each designed to highlight different facets of the destination and foster meaningful conversations about Washington, DC’s diverse offerings.
A key focus of this year’s mission was introducing the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, one of Washington, DC’s newest cultural attractions. The delegation also shared updates on the city’s evolving hospitality scene, world-renowned museums, vibrant culinary landscape, distinctive neighbourhood experiences and year-round calendar of events, reinforcing the destination’s appeal beyond its iconic monuments and political landmarks.
The Destination DC team was joined in Delhi by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) to engage with airline partners and strengthen air connectivity between India and Dulles International Airport. The city is also looking ahead to upcoming renovations at the airport that will increase international arrival gates and enhance the overall traveller experience.
Reflecting on the mission, Letizia Sirtori, Vice President, Tourism and Global Development at Destination DC, highlighted meaningful cultural parallels discovered across the three cities—from Delhi’s emphasis on green spaces mirroring Washington, DC’s parks and gardens, to Bengaluru’s coffee culture resonating with the city’s café scene, and Ahmedabad’s strong ties to Metropolitan Washington’s large Gujarati community. Sirtori also emphasised the importance of expanding focus beyond India’s largest gateway cities, noting growing international travel interest from Tier 2 cities and highlighting Washington, DC’s suitability for Gujarati travellers through its extensive vegetarian dining options and acclaimed Indian restaurants.
Elliott L. Ferguson II, President and CEO of Destination DC, underscored India’s continued importance as a valued international market, noting that missions like this help strengthen partnerships that bring more Indian travellers to Washington, DC by directly showcasing the city’s evolving experiences.
The mission welcomed over 120 travel trade professionals and media representatives across the three cities, providing a platform to strengthen existing partnerships, share destination updates, and explore new opportunities to drive visitor growth from India. It further reinforced Washington, DC’s position as a destination blending history, culture, art, gastronomy and outdoor experiences, from free Smithsonian museums to Michelin-starred restaurants and diverse neighbourhoods.