Washington businesses and hotels are capitalizing on the panda-monium taking over the city.
Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao made their debut at the National Zoo on Jan. 24 after the zoo had been without a panda for more than a year.
The pandas are expected to draw out more visitors to the zoo, which experienced a 16% drop during the period when no giant pandas were on display: The zoo saw 1.6 million visitors last year, down from 1.9 million in 2023.
Elliott Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC and a zoo board member, said the panda's highly anticipated return to the city has already led to an uptick in zoo visitation.
That is likely to generate revenue for nearby businesses, said hospitality management professor Liang Yu of George Washington University.
"It's a really big boost for the city," Yu said. "The effect will multiply and ripple through the community."
The economic impact so far is unknown, he added, but visitors, who can enter the zoo for free, will "increase their consumption and expenditures in the local economy in lodging, food and services [and] in transportation," he said.
The D.C. zoo is the only one in the U.S. where visitors can see giant pandas for free. The Atlanta and San Diego zoos also have giant pandas but charge for admission. All giant pandas in the U.S. are on loan from China.
A panda-themed cocktail is offered as part of the Lyle Washington DC's "Panda-monium at Lyle" package. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lyle Washington DC
Black-and-white business
Businesses are already leveraging the panda craze to market their products, Ferguson said.
That includes several Washington hotels that are tapping into the excitement with panda-themed packages.
The Lyle Washington DC in Dupont Circle rolled out a Panda-monium at Lyle offer, combining overnight accommodations with panda-inspired cocktails, black-and-white cookies, a late checkout and a $20 Uber credit for zoo transportation. March rates for the package start at around $300 per night, with the offer running through April 30.
The Conrad Washington DC is offering a luxury panda package through the end of August that includes a private, in-suite visit from the hotel's mascot, Potomac the Panda. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Conrad Washington DC
The Watergate Hotel is joining in with its family-focused Welcome Home, Pandas offer. In addition to overnight accommodations, the package features panda-themed sweet treats, a set of panda pajamas for children, a panda stuffed animal and roundtrip sedan transportation. The package, which starts at just over $500 per night, runs through March 16.
For those seeking an ultraluxe panda experience, the Conrad Washington DC created a two-night package with pricing starting at $5,500. The offer, which promises the "ultimate panda adventure," includes suite accommodations, VIP zoo transportation and a private in-suite visit from the hotel's mascot, Potomac the Panda.
The package also features a gourmet picnic lunch for four, access to Sponsor Circle Membership perks at the National Zoo and various gifts, such as a Gucci panda bag charm and Prada scarf for parents and plush pandas and panda-themed treats for kids. The Conrad's panda package runs through Aug. 30.
Eateries are also tapping into the excitement.
Duke's Counter, a modern British restaurant across the street from the zoo, launched the Bamboo Bar pop-up with panda-themed drinks, including the Bamboo Mule and the Panda-rita. The restaurant is also selling T-shirts and mugs featuring the bears.
Baked by Yael, a nut-free bakery next door to Duke's, has more than 40 panda-themed products advertised, including sweet treats and gift items like socks and sunglasses.