The globally recognized Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) serves as a visible industry distinction that defines quality and performance standards in destination marketing and management.

Achieving DMAP accreditation positions a destination organization or CVB as a valued and respected organization in your community and increases your credibility among stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

• Destination organization or CVB is a legal organization or entity
• Destination marketing and management is the primary function of the organization
• The organization has two or more years of destination marketing and management expertise
• The organization is the official governing entity authorized to provide destination marketing and management services for the jurisdiction
• The organization agrees to abide by the DMAP Code of Conduct Accreditation Standards

Accreditation Standards

To become accredited, a destination organization must demonstrate compliance with more than 100 performance standards. Accreditation standards are set by an independent panel of industry veterans representing a diverse selection of destination organizations. Standards are regularly revisited and revised to reflect the evolution of best practices in our industry. The accreditation standards include 20 optional Aspirational Standards. These are standards which are not necessarily established as best practices in the industry, but which are quickly becoming the norm. It is the expectation that Aspirational Standards will become required standards at some point in the future. The applicant does not need to meet these standards to become accredited.

Accreditation With Distinction

Beginning in 2020, Destinations International began recognizing select outstanding destination organizations with a new tier of accreditation, Accreditation with Distinction. This is intended to recognize destination organizations that set the bar of excellence for our industry. To become Accredited with Distinction, an organization must meet three criteria:

1. Meet all 100+ accreditation standards with no standards marked “Compliant with Opportunity for Improvement”
2. Have at least one standard where the applicant is marked “Compliant Exemplary”, meaning the documentation submitted is truly outstanding and could be used to set the bar for the industry at large
3. Meet at least 10 of the 20 Aspirational Standards.

Application Timeline

Organizations may begin working on their accreditation application and may submit their applications at any time throughout the year, however applications are only reviewed and approved twice per year. This is change from the past when applications were reviewed on a rolling basis. The accreditation review windows are intended to give clear timelines for organizations whose goal is to become accredited prior to Annual Convention or to become accredited during this calendar year.

Spring/Summer Review Cycle

Initial Application Deadline: April 16
Notification of Decision: June 15

Organizations that wish to complete their accreditation prior to Destination International’s Annual Convention must submit their completed applications by April 16th. Applicants will receive feedback on their initial applications and will be given an opportunity to revise their application if necessary. Organizations that are approved for accreditation during the spring/summer review cycle will be recognized at Annual Convention in July. Applications that are not approved for accreditation may be revised and re-submitted for review during the fall/winter review cycle. Applicants are not penalized for revising and re-submitting their applications.

Fall/Winter Review Cycle

Application Deadline: October 1
Notification of Decision: December 15

Organizations that wish to complete their accreditation by the end of the calendar year must submit their completed applications by October 1st. Applicants will receive feedback on their initial applications and will be given an opportunity to review their application if necessary. Organizations that are approved for accreditation during the fall/winter review cycle will be recognized at the following Annual Convention in July. Applications that are not approved for accreditation may be revised and re-submitted for review during the spring/summer review cycle. Applicants are not penalized for revising and re-submitting their applications. Applicants whose accreditation is approved will be notified of the decision by email on or before December 15.