Photo by Tibor Nemeth
Shopping along King Street in Old Town Alexandria.
This week, Visit Alexandria joins a nationwide celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, running from May 3-9, 2026, recognizing the tourism industry as one of the most powerful economic engines in the United States— one that generates incremental revenues for communities and inspires greater cultural understanding.
This year’s theme, “Postmarked: Essential,” takes on special significance as the City of Alexandria prepares to host several major events this summer, bringing our local stories and experiences to a global stage.
Tourism generates nearly $2.9 trillion in annual contributions to the U.S. economy. Last fall, Visit Alexandria announced that Alexandria’s tourism spending from travelers residing more than 50 miles away grew to $1 billion for the first time in history during calendar year 2024. Additionally, Fiscal Year 2025 consumption tax revenues reached a record $88 million—supporting core city services, saving the average Alexandria household $832 annually, and sustaining more than 5,700 local jobs.
“Visit Alexandria plays a vital role in strengthening our city by uplifting the people, businesses and stories that make Alexandria unique,” said Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins. “Through its efforts to share authentic visitor experiences, Visit Alexandria not only spotlights our welcoming and vibrant community, but also helps to drive a strong tourism economy that supports local businesses, and fuels continued economic growth throughout all Alexandria neighborhoods.”
Alexandria is poised for one of its most dynamic tourism seasons in recent memory. As the official Team Base Camp for the Croatian National Football Team—a top‑10 FIFA‑ranked program—during the World Cup, the city will welcome global visitors while showcasing its growing stature in sports tourism. With state-of-the-art facilities, diverse accommodations, immersive visitor experiences and unparalleled access to the nation’s capital, Alexandria is ready for a global spotlight. This momentum continues as the city commemorates America’s 250th birthday with a slate of signature programs and events, including the three‑day Sails on the Potomac festival—bringing history, celebration and community together on an international stage.
Visit Alexandria will also continue bringing a community-centric approach through its fully integrated destination marketing campaign, Unlock Your Story, inviting visitors to enjoy the benefits of “unlocking” one-of-a-kind tourism offerings that are available widely throughout the destination. Together, these standout experiences across Alexandria’s historical, cultural, and sports communities elevate Alexandria’s global profile while driving meaningful cultural and economic benefits for the community this summer.
“This year’s National Travel and Tourism Week celebrations seem particularly fitting, given all the momentum we’re seeing in Alexandria’s hospitality industry,” said Visit Alexandria's President & CEO Todd O’Leary. “As tourism grows in importance here, the dividends from visitor spending support our small business owners and ultimately our residents. Visit Alexandria is proud of the work done by our local industry to keep this city top of mind for domestic and international travelers.”
During National Travel and Tourism Week, Visit Alexandria staff and board members will proudly lead a land-based litter clean-up at Four Mile Run Park, a vibrant biodiversity hotspot and natural oasis in the city, ahead of what promises to be a busy summer season. At this event, Alexandria’s Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley will deliver a proclamation declaring the week as ‘National Travel and Tourism Week’ in Alexandria.
Visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.
