In an industry rooted in inspiration, many destination professionals are running on empty.

From staffing shortages and evolving visitor expectations to ever-expanding responsibilities around placemaking and stakeholder alignment—burnout is a real and rising challenge across our networks. One antidote to burnout is reconnecting with our sense of curiosity. Sometimes, that starts with something as simple as a good book.

That’s why we created the DI Summer Book List: a resource for destination professionals to unwind, reflect and reconnect with themselves and with us.

This curated collection of staff book picks offers a peek into the people behind the organization: what we’re learning, what’s bringing us joy, and what stories are shaping how we show up in the world.

You’ll find fiction and nonfiction, leadership gems and fantasy escapes, memoirs, and page-turners that made us feel something. Whether you’re on the go for summer meetings or soaking in a rare quiet moment, we invite you to browse the list, pick up a title and maybe even discover a new favorite.

Explore the List

Ready to read?

Look for titles at your favorite used or independent bookstore, order a used copy via BookFinder, or explore your library’s free digital offerings through Libby. Prefer audiobooks? Try Libro.fm to support local bookstores while you listen.

If a book speaks to you, let us know! Tag @Destinations.International on social. We’d love to keep the story going.