‘India fifth largest overseas market for Washington, DC’

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) In 2016, Washington, DC welcomed 100,000 visitors from India making it the citys fifth largest overseas market.

"India continues to be a strong and developing market for Washington, DC," said Destination DC President and CEO Elliott L. Ferguson II while addressing the media here.

A delegation from Destination DC, the official destination marketing organisation for Washington, DC, is on an India visit to support Air India's new non-stop service connecting New Delhi to Washington, DC. In partnership with Air India and Washington Dulles International Airport, the delegation members visited Mumbai, Hyderabad and are finally in the Capital.

Elliott L. Ferguson, II added that "In 2016, one in every 12 visitors from India to the US visited Washington, DC."

" We're excited about the potential for increased business and leisure travel from Indian visitors, especially since the launch of Air India's direct flight last July and our increase in marketing efforts for 2018," he said.

According to Travel Market Insights Inc., visitors from India to Washington, DC ranked sightseeing, shopping, and visiting national parks and monuments among their top three activities. Also incredible museums and art galleries, exceptional dining and nightlife scene, high-end designer retail along with iconic monuments and memorials make the city a highly desirable destination.

Also, Indian visits to the US capital increased 25 percent over 2015, adding 20,000 more visitors than last year.

Destination DC continues to market the destination to India through its DC Cool brand from editorial and social to new promotions with tour operators. The organisation launched a series of 360? videos with virtual-reality (VR) capabilities.