Washington DC seeks more Chinese tourism

The Washington Monument is seen behind cherry blossoms on the edge of the Tidal Basin in Washington DC, capital of the United States, April 9, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Capital Region USA, an organization that promotes Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland as travel destinations, recently held a tourism promotion conference in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai.

According to the United States Department of Commerce, 1.806 million tourists from the Chinese mainland came to the US last year, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 23 percent.

In 2013, 195,000 Chinese tourists visited the Washington metropolitan area, making China its second-largest overseas market.

The capital region is the perfect place for first-time travelers from China who want to experience something unique, as well as the richness of the history and culture of the US, its tourism bureau said.

While Chinese tourists often visit West Coast areas such as San Francisco, there is more to see on the East Coast, ranging from the cultural heritage of Washington DC, to the beaches and vineyards of Virginia to breathtaking coastal Maryland, according to Matt Gaffney, the president and CEO of the Capital Region USA bureau.

Gaffney said they are attaching more importance to the alluring Chinese market due to its "huge potential" and "the strong purchasing power of Chinese travelers".