Destination DC Appoints SinoMedia to Represent Washington, DC in China

China is the city’s top overseas market with 324,000 visitors in 2017

(Washington, DC) -- Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, today announced the appointment of SinoMedia, a leading media corporation in China. Representation covers consumer and travel trade, public relations as well as the MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Exhibition) market.

China continues to lead DC’s overseas visitation with 324,000 visitors in 2017 spending $655,728,533, a respective 6.6% and 13.7% increase over 2016, according to Travel Market Insights, National Travel & Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce. China is DC’s fourth meetings market.

“We’ve been expanding our efforts to attract more Chinese visitors for several years now by developing strong partnerships with Chinese tour operators, leading media, key corporate clients and other partners with significant results. We’re thrilled to further develop and partner with SinoMedia, a local expert,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC.

“We’ve had great relationship with DDC for the past few years and even organized their most recent sales and media mission to China in November 2017. It is truly an honor to represent Washington, DC in China,” said Liu Jinlan, President and CEO of SinoMedia.

Earlier this year, DDC became the first destination marketing organization in the United States to officially partner with WeChat following the launch of the platform’s first City Experience Mini Program in the U.S. In July 2018, DDC became the first DMO in the world to expand the program with coupons – providing discounts for major attractions around the region. The six pilot members include Big Bus Tours, Bike and Roll DC, Entertainment Cruises, the Newseum and Tanger Outlets.

Two years ago, DDC launched Welcome China, the organization’s multi-point certification program for its members including hotels, restaurants, attractions, transportation and retailers. By providing education on Chinese customs, DDC strives to make Chinese leisure and business visitors feel at home while in the city.

Additional airlift to Washington, DC plays an important role in increasing tourism. Air China and United Airlines have nonstop flights from Beijing and last month, Cathay Pacific launched nonstop service from Hong Kong to Dulles International Airport. The new flight is anticipated to increase visitors from Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region including China and India.

Washington, DC’s landscape continues to see major changes with $11.5 billion in development underway and more than 4,500 hotel rooms in the pipeline. DDC will continue working with Brand USA, Visit USA and other key shareholders to encourage more visitation from China to the capital of the United States to experience the city’s diverse culture and unique offerings.

Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. washington.org

About SinoMedia, founded in 1999, SinoMedia Holding Limited has been one of the leading corporations in China, and also the first media company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with an annual turnover of around RMB 2.3 billion at FY2017. The headquarter of SinoMedia is located in the centre of Beijing CBD, with a staff strength of over 350. SinoMedia also owns travel content-sharing website (lotour.com), a video website of healthy lifestyle (Boosj.com) and also an agricultural website (Wugu.com.cn). The company underwrites advertising time resources on 6 channels in CCTV.