Capital City Tourism: Online Destination Image of Washington, DC

Abstract

National capital cities symbolize the image and prestige of a nation. Different from general urban tourism, “capital city tourism” is an emerging topic in tourism research. Being both a capital and a destination, capital cities possess a unique image that is favourable in tourism promotion. This study explores the destination image of national capital cities through qualitative content analysis of travel-related websites on Washington, DC. Six analytical themes are identified: History, Wealth, Power, Diversity, Ideal, and Patriotism. Findings suggest that national capital cities incorporate political messages in its destination image, promoting not only the city itself as a destination but also national pride and identity.