ALEXANDRIA, VA — As the region monitors uncertainty from federal government downsizing affecting federal workers and contractors, Alexandria’s tourism industry continues to look for ways to boost visitors and tourism-related revenues to the city.
Tourism-focused organization Visit Alexandria held its “What’s New in Alexandria in 2025” meeting for its members Tuesday at Virginia Tech Innovation Campus. The campus, which held a grand opening in late February, is one of the new additions to the city touted by officials as a catalyst for more economic opportunities.
Todd O’Leary, president and CEO at Visit Alexandria, pointed to a record $941 million in spending by visitors traveling to Alexandria from 50 or more miles away in 2024. That’s up from $801 million last year and above the pre-pandemic level of $867 million in 2019.
“The success we’ve seen over the years reaffirms that both travel and tourism are not only catalysts for economic growth but also essential drivers in our strategy to build a resilient, diversified local economy,” said O’Leary. “Our work promoting Alexandria as a top destination continues to drive interest and investment in emerging neighborhoods like here in Potomac Yard, helping to shape the city’s next chapter.”
Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley spoke about how visitors to Alexandria are likely to return. Bagley recalled how she was first a visitor and later moved to the city. Her first experience in the city was spending time at Port City Brewing Company where a friend worked, and she later went on dates in Del Ray. Two weeks ago, she also observed a waterfront proposal with a heart-shaped rose display.
“It’s another example of the things people come here to experience, and that’s the crucial role that your hotels play, that your restaurants play, that your event businesses play, because they say come here and we’ll create a unique, memorable opportunity for you,” said Bagley.
Bagley said it could take one good experience at a business or special event to leave a lasting impression on a visitor.
“I really did live the story that [Visit Alexandria’s Todd O’Leary] and this data is telling and your businesses tell, is that once you bring people here, once you experience it, you come back. And some of them choose to move here, which is what I did,” said Bagley.
Marian Marquez, a senior vice president at the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, shared an update on development goals for the city. She shared AEDP’s targeted catalyst sites — in Old Town North, Potomac Yard, Carlyle and West End — which could be an anchor that attracts more mixed-use development and provide revenue for city services. There are other existing catalyst sites that are being developed at the WestEnd Alexandria development, the National Science Foundation and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Robinson Terminal North, the Oakville development and more.
“We are really looking to diversify the economy of Alexandria and make it more resilient,” said Marquez.
Anchors sought by AEDP for catalyst sites are sports and entertainment, health and wellness, medical and academic uses. Potomac Yard continues to be a desirable catalyst site, even with plans for an arena and entertainment district being withdrawn. According to Marquez, AEDP still has a vision for bringing an entertainment district to Potomac Yard. Marquez said the new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus is making a difference, just as it was a reason for Amazon to pick neighboring Arlington for its second headquarters.
“I cannot overstate how important Virginia Tech is as an asset,” said Marquez. “When our teams are going out and talking to prospects who are interested in Alexandria, the opportunity to be close to Virginia Tech or adjacent to it…it’s a huge competitive advantage for us.”
During the presentation, Visit Alexandria also shared new restaurants, retail and other experiences that have opened or will soon open. Some of the highlights are:
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