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Destination DC Appoints FINN Partners to Represent Washington, DC in the United Kingdom and Ireland

February 23, 2022

(Washington, DC) – Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, today announced the appointment of Finn Partners to represent DC across travel trade and public relations efforts in the United Kingdom and Ireland. As DDC focuses on reengaging overseas travelers, FINN Partners will advise on market strategies to bring UK visitors back to Washington, DC. The agency will also focus on expanding DDC’s training program with travel agencies based in the UK and Ireland.

“Overseas travelers are so important because of the economics, as they represented only 7 percent of visitation but 27 percent of the spend in Washington, DC in 2019,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of DDC. “The UK has consistently ranked second for overseas visitation to DC, with 170,000 visitors in 2019 and two-thirds coming for leisure. We’ve been extremely active in the market and it makes sense to expand our efforts now as we anticipate a faster recovery from European markets.”

DDC was planning a sales and media mission to the UK that was canceled in March 2020 as the pandemic hit. It will participate in a sales and media mission from March 14-18, 2022 as part of Capital Region USA, a partnership between DC, Maryland, Virginia and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. FINN Partners is also the agency of record for CRUSA.

“We are overjoyed to be appointed by Destination DC. Washington, DC, is one of the most iconic, historically rich, exciting and diverse cities in the United States and will be a hero account to add to our FINN Partners travel portfolio. It’s just over three months since the borders to the US reopened and it’s clear that 2022 will be a huge year for travel to the country. Our focus will be to position Washington, DC front and centre to ensure the city is at the top of a consumer’s mind when they make their holiday bookings,” said Debbie Flynn, Managing Partner, Global Travel Practice Leader, FINN Partners.

With $10.3 billion in development and 29 hotels in the pipeline, investment in Washington, DC hasn’t slowed during the pandemic. UK travelers will find new experiences to celebrate the Smithsonian Institution’s 175th anniversary, including the recent reopening of the Arts and Industries Building and FUTURES exhibit. The Wharf, a major development along the Southwest Waterfront, opens phase two later this year. New museums include the National Children’s Museum and Planet Word. Signature events are planned to return in person this year, including the National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20-April 17, 2022) and DC JazzFest (Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 2022). Find more information on washington.org and media assets at media.washington.org/assets.