Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP)
NOTICE: Due to updates to the DMAP program, new applications will not be accepted until June 9, 2025. Thank you for your patience as we roll out an updated and refreshed DMAP program!
Need access to your application or to submit your Annual Progress Report?
The 2025 DMAP Refresh
Quick Information About the 2025 DMAP Refresh
Thank you for your patience as we finalize the refreshed DMAP Platform! This update is about improving your experience, featuring updated 2025 standards, a more efficient application platform, and a streamlined application process.
What’s New?
- Updated Accreditation Standards – In 2018, DMAP applications included over 120 comprehensive standards. The refreshed process now focuses on 97 targeted standards.
- Simplified Applications – Two options: Accreditation (new applicants) + Re-Accreditation (renewals).
- 5-Year Accreditation Cycle – Replacing the old 4-year renewal and the 8-year Re-accreditation.
- Annual Progress Reports (APR) + Fees – Required to maintain accreditation.
We can’t wait to roll this out and make the process smoother than ever! Stay tuned for more details.
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.
The refreshed DMAP program reflects its long-standing importance and relevance in the industry while incorporating significant updates to the program. The revised standards align with current industry trends and priorities, emphasizing core concepts such as community-shared value, social inclusion, and welcoming environments. The updated standards are more strategic vs tactical, in nature. Additionally, the standards have been thoughtfully reorganized for a more cohesive and user-friendly structure. Achieving DMAP accreditation positions a destination organization as a valued and respected organization in the community and increases the organization’s credibility among stakeholders.
Pricing
For Destinations International members, the accreditation process begins with a one-time application fee of $2,500. Once accredited, organizations pay an annual fee of $750 to maintain their accredited status. If an organization needs to reaccredit or reactivate its DMAP status, a reaccreditation/reactivation fee of $1,500 applies for members, and $2,750 for non-members.
Starting June 9th, all DMAP fees will be processed within the DMAP Platform. Some fees may be invoiced separately.
| Member Fees | Non-Member Fees | |
| Initial Application Fee | $2,500 | $3,750 |
| Annual Fee | $750 | $1,150 |
| Reaccreditation Application Fee | $1,500 | $2,750 |
| Reactivation Fee | $1,500 | 2,750 |
Helpful Resources
DMAP Accredited Organizations
With nearly 200 accredited organizations worldwide, DMAP is an internationally-recognized program that is essential to the success of destinations. See the full list of accredited organizations.
Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for accreditation? What is the process for earning accreditation? Discover the answers to these questions and more.
Let's Chat about DMAP
Have questions about DMAP? Trying to understand your organization's status? Received eligibility confirmation, but have questions? Schedule a call with the Program Manager to discuss all things DMAP!
The DMAP Process
Eligibility
To be eligible for DMAP accreditation, an organization must meet the following criteria:
- Legal Entity: The destination organization or Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) must be a recognized legal entity.
- Primary Function: Destination marketing and management must be the organization’s core focus.
- Experience: The organization must have at least two years of expertise in destination marketing and management.
- Official Authority: It must serve as the official governing body authorized to provide destination marketing and management services for its jurisdiction.
- Commitment to Standards: The organization must agree to uphold the DMAP Code of Conduct and Accreditation Standards.
Application
As of November 6, 2024, the accreditation standards have been updated. There will be two types of applications, the Initial Application (the first time your organization is applying for DMAP Accreditation) and the Re-Accreditation Application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. DMAP’s volunteer Board typically completes reviews within 30-60 days. Approvals are made during quarterly board meetings.
Initial Application:
- Organizations must pay the application fee before beginning the application.
- There is no specified timeline or deadline for completing the application once it has been started.
Re-Accreditation:
- Accreditation Cycles (also known as the organization’s accreditation window) are every 5 years.
- Applications are due by the end of your accreditation cycle. A 6-month grace period is provided before your application moves into lapsed status.
- To remain in good standing, you must pay the Annual Fee and submit the Annual Report each year prior to the 5-year reaccreditation.
- Annual reports are due each year, beginning one full year after an organization originally earns accredited status. A 6-month grace period is provided before your application enters lapsed status.
After application is made, the application goes through four different phases:
- Staff Review
- DMAP Program Manager provides initial review before sending application to reviewers.
- Awaiting Inquiry
- If necessary, the application is returned to the applying organization for additional information.
- In DMAP Review (see Application Review + Decision for more information on assessments)
- The application reviewers evaluate the organization’s application.
- Each application is assigned two anonymous reviewers.
- In Board Review
- The final phase before accreditation is awarded; the full DMAP Board hears recommendations from the two reviewers, votes, and approves (or denies) an application by consensus.
DMAP Class Cohort Deadline
DMAP Class Cohorts are designed to help you plan your accreditation journey with the Annual Convention in mind:
- Want to be recognized at this year’s Annual Convention? Submit your application between October (prior year) and March (current year) to be considered.
- Submitting in April or later? Your accreditation will be on track for recognition at the following year’s Annual Convention.
If being recognized at the Annual Convention is important to you, be sure to follow the recommended timeline.
Application Review + Decision
Every standard within the application is reviewed. Each evaluation comes with an assessment:
- Need Additional Information
- If your application is returned for additional information, this does not mean denial. It simply means one or both of your reviewers are requesting more information on one or more standards.
- Your application can be returned and resubmitted as many times as needed.
- Compliant
- Your reviewers deem the organization compliant with a particular standard.
- Compliant Exemplary
- Your reviewers believe your organization has gone above and beyond to meet the criteria of this standard.
- Compliant with Opportunities for Improvement (OFI)
- Your reviewers believe your organization has met the criteria of this standard; however, there are opportunities for improvement.
- Non-Compliant
- Your reviewers believe your organization has not fully met the criteria, either due to missing documentation, insufficient evidence or failure to adhere to accreditation criteria.
- If non-compliant standards are identified, the applicant may be allowed to address them.
- Conditional Accreditation: In some cases, accreditation may be granted with conditions, requiring the applicant to resolve specific non-compliances within a designated timeframe.
- Deferral or Denial: If significant non-compliances are present and cannot be resolved within the review process, the application may be deferred to a future cohort or denied, requiring resubmission.
Accredited with Distinction
Accreditation with Distinction is designed to honor outstanding destination organizations that exemplify excellence in our industry. To achieve this prestigious recognition, an organization must meet three specific criteria:
- Meet all 97 accreditation standards with no standards marked “Compliant with Opportunity for Improvement.”
- Have at least one standard marked as “Compliant Exemplary,” meaning the documentation submitted is truly outstanding and could be used to set the bar for the industry at large.
- Meet at least 10 of the 20 Aspirational Standards.
Accreditation Standards
The updated program incorporates revisions to the standards that align with current industry trends and priorities, as well as core concepts supporting community shared value, social inclusion and welcoming environment strategies. Additional enhancements focus on improving user experience within the software platform and strengthening marketing tools to better communicate the value of DMAP Accreditation to government and media.
Begin Your Application
Organizations complete their application for accreditation entirely online. The first step is to create an account in Destination International’s accreditation management system. To get started, click the link below to open the accreditation management system, then click “Register as a New Organization” on the left hand side of the screen.
Already have an account in the accreditation management system?