D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1411
1411.1 Cultural tourism “is travel directed toward experiencing the arts, heritage, and special character of unique places.” This definition emerged from the 1995 White House Conference on Travel and Tourism, which declared U.S. involvement in this worldwide phenomenon a national priority—a way to link support of American cultural institutions with economic development goals for the nation.
1411.2 In 2017, Washington, DC achieved its eighth consecutive tourism record with nearly 23 million visitors. Additionally, there are significant indicators that cultural tourism is increasing in the District, which includes annual attendance growth at Smithsonian Institution facilities from 23 million in 2006 to nearly 30 million in 2016 and steady growth in the number of people who visit the District each year.
1411.3 The District is rich in the kinds of experiences and places cultural tourism visitors are seeking. Although some of these places, such as Georgetown and Capitol Hill, are well known, many are not. For instance, the Civil War Defenses of Washington, otherwise known as the Fort Circle Parks; Historic Anacostia; and Brookland are rich in landmarks that are not well known outside the District. The visitor experience should be expanded to include the dozens of cultural attractions that exist beyond the monuments and museums of the National Mall. Expanding the visitor experience beyond the Mall will bring more visibility and revenue to local cultural institutions and an expanded customer base for many of the District’s neighborhood commercial areas. Alignments should be made to connect cultural tourism visitors with ecotourism in locations including the National Arboretum and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. In addition, the development of new museums and cultural facilities beyond the Monumental Core, as called for by the National Capital Planning Commission’s (NCPC’s) Memorials and Museums Master Plan, can expand choices for visitors and provide growth opportunities for local tourism.
Promote the development of cultural amenities beyond the Mall in an effort to more fully capitalize on the economic benefits of tourism for District residents, businesses, and neighborhoods.
Increase cultural exchanges between residents and the international community by participating with embassy public diplomacy programs whenever feasible.
Coordinate with NCPC and commemorative works sponsors to locate national museums and monuments on sites beyond the National Mall.
1411.7
Partner with existing organizations that promote tourism to market cultural events to local, regional, and international audiences.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-1D; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).