05/26/2008 3:27 PM ET

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)- Virginia tourism officials are hoping to attract more foreign travelers.

Virginia Tourism Corporation is pushing the state as a vacation destination for international visitors by maintaining a presence at travel industry trade shows and printing travel guides in five languages.

Tourism officials say international travelers are sought after because the tend to stay longer and spend more money than their domestic counterparts.

The average international tourist visits two states, stays 16 nights and spends more than $1,600 per visit. That's more than twice a domestic traveler, according to Capital Regional USA, made up of tourism officials from Virginia, Washington and Maryland.

The Capital Regional group spends about $2 million each year to attract foreign travelers.

Virginia Tourism Corporation vice president of marketing Diane Bechamps says it helps that Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia brings about 300 international flights to the areas each week.