We may grumble and gripe about tourists, but let’s face it — those happy folks pour hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy each year as they support one of the biggest industries in our area.
On Tuesday, we’ll find out down to the dollar exactly how important tourists are to the local economy when Destination DC and the Washington Convention and Sports Authority announce the nuts and bolts of last year’s industry totals. With the improving economy last year, signs are pointing to more encouraging numbers than in 2009, when D.C. posted a 3 percent decrease in domestic visitation and a 7 percent decrease in visitor spending.
Still, the District welcomed 14.8 million domestic visitors in 2009 who spent more than $5.2 billion total, representing $582 million in tax revenue for the city alone.
