'We anticipate strong numbers': Cherry blossom season to boost DC's tourism, economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — Ready for D.C.'s premiere springtime event? The National Cherry Blossom Festival is from March 20 to April 14.

The event celebrates D.C.'s Yoshino cherry trees which originated as a gift in 1912 from the mayor of Tokyo, Japan.

It brings in thousands of tourists and tourism dollars, and starts the peak spring and summer tourism season for Washington, filling up hotels and restaurants and bringing in retail dollars.

"The fact that so many of the cherry blossom festival events are free to the public really resonates with those that are looking at traveling to the East Coast," Elliot Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC.

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The main feeder market is Boston to D.C. About 93% of the tourists come from the East Coast, but the festival also attracts a global market.

"Asia remains a very strong market for individuals to come to Washington for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. There are two notable global cherry blossom customers: one in Japan, of course, who gave us the gift of the trees and the other in South Korea. We do have representation in seven different countries, including China, India, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, London," Ferguson said.

The reality is the average international visitor stays longer and spends more. That's why there's a big push to attract international visitors.

The festival generates $8 billion from these visitors and creates more than 90,000 hospitality jobs.

"Reservations and hotels are strong. There will be some last minute, folks that are going to decide, hey, let's get a room and let's go to Washington. We anticipate strong numbers, we're hopeful that the weather will be fantastic," Ferguson said.

And even after the blooms come and go -- there's plenty to do in town over the next four weeks.

All the festival events from the kite festival to the parade and fireworks are free.

7News is once again a proud sponsor of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.