D.C. tourism could rebound after down ‘09

WASHINGTON | New figures show Washington saw a 3 percent decline in visitors last year but could be poised for a recovery in 2010.

Statistics released Tuesday by the tourism bureau Destination D.C. show Washington had about 14.8 million domestic visitors in 2009, down from 15.2 million in 2008.

Visitor spending was down about 7 percent. Travelers spent less on lodging, food, transportation and entertainment.

Still, Destination D.C. President Elliott Ferguson says conventions and tourism brought in more than $5 billion in revenue. And hotels began showing stronger figures in March of this year.

While visitor numbers were down last year in the hospitality industry, the Smithsonian Institution museums saw a 24 percent increase in attendance, counting 30 million visits in 2009.