Organisers of International Pow Wow estimate that hosting the influential travel convention in San Francisco will generate an extra $350 million from tourism for the city over the next three years.

Since Saturday, more than 1,100 overseas tour operators and 450 media have attended the travel exhibition at Moscone Center. There were 3,500 exhibitors, including convention and visitors bureaus, destination-marketing groups, hotels, airlines and cruise lines.

But San Francisco, which hosted Pow Wow only for the second time, had the added advantage of showing off its tourism credentials.

Last year, nearly 16 million people visited the city, spending roughly $8 billion, according to the San Francisco Travel Association.

The last time the show in San Francisco was 1992. This year, planners spent $5 million - paid for by sponsors, local businesses and the San Francisco Travel Association - to host the Pow Wow.

The hope is that the city makes a big impression on buyers to do extra business here.

The U.S. Travel Association estimates that it could be to the tune of an additional $350 million, spread out over the next three years.

Laurie Armstrong, a spokeswoman for San Francisco Travel, said tourists from outside the United States are particularly interested in this city for its arts and culture, diverse neighbourhoods, and its gay scene.

“Everyone knows that we’re a gay mecca. But there are a lot of cities trying to get in on our market, including New York, Las Vegas and Key West. So we have to stay on our toes,” she told the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I’m not aware of any other convention that has the return on its investment that International Pow Wow does,” said Cathy Keefe of the U.S. Travel Association.