WASHINGTON (DC News Now) –The National Zoo’s giant pandas are arguably its biggest attraction. With two new young pandas scheduled to move to the nation’s capital on Tuesday, there are going to be a lot of people traveling to D.C. to see them.
And that means a boom for businesses in the area too.
Though it’s been almost a year since the pandas left D.C., the imagery of the beloved fluffy, round, black-and-white bears has remained.
A boost in tourism for people going to see Bao Li and Qing Bao means a boost in business for Duke’s Counter, directly across the street from the zoo.
“We’ve been waiting, and we never lost hope. And we are happy for the entire DMV,” said Daniel Kramer, managing partner at Duke’s Counter.
“It’s really something that, you know, revitalizes not just Woodley Park/Cleveland Park and the National Zoo, but really is a lightning bolt for the entire city,” he continued.
Chuck Bramlett, who’s from Chattanooga, Tn., visited on Monday, around 24 hours before the pandas would arrive.
“Kind of disappointed we missed it by a day. We might have to come back,” Bramlett said.
Though the giant pandas return Tuesday, they’ll be quarantined for a month before the public can see them.
“I might have waited a month if I would have known that they’d be back. Otherwise, you know, it was a really nice zoo,” said Ray Mielke from Minneapolis, Mn. “I was glad that I saw everything. It seems like everyone around the zoo was pretty excited. All the placards and signs and everything.”
They’re not just cute. They’re a symbol of D.C.
“The pandas are a symbol of hope and a symbol of peace, right? And I think that’s something that we all can attach to and be a part of,” Kramer said.
Kramer said they would be going all in with the panda-monium in the coming month or two.
“The giant pandas are an iconic part of the Washington, DC story, both for locals and incoming travelers alike. The interest and excitement associated with their return directly benefits the entire city, bringing further interest and visitors to our hotels, restaurants and other attractions,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC. “The National Zoo will be the only place in the U.S. to see giant pandas for free, which adds to the long list of ways DC stands out as a value destination.”
