DMAP Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible for accreditation, the destination organization must meet the following criteria:

• 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 Ethics

To earn accreditation, you must demonstrate that your organization complies with approximately 95 accreditation standards. Destinations International’s accreditation management system is completed entirely online. The first step is to create an account in the accreditation portal, then complete an Intent to Apply form to determine your organization’s eligibility for accreditation. To get started:

• Visit the DMAP portal.
• Click Register as a New Organization or log in if you have an existing account.
• Follow the on-screen steps to start an accreditation application.  
• Complete the Intent to Apply form.
• Once it’s approved, you will log back in and pay via credit card or email us to request an invoice.

Use the proper guide for your situation:  

• DMAP Applicant Guide (for new applications)  
• DMAP Readiness & Preparation Checklist
• DMAP Applicant Guide for Reaccreditation (for currently accredited DMOs)
• Top 5 Tips for DMAP Applicants

To earn accreditation, an organization must complete an online application to demonstrate compliance with DMAP accreditation standards. The application process requires the organization to submit documentary evidence of compliance with each standard. All documents remain confidential.  

For example, Standard 1.1 states “The DMO or its parent organization has articles of incorporation (or similar legal documentation) filed with its government jurisdiction.” To meet this standard, the DMO must upload a copy of their articles of incorporation.  

Use our new Applicant Guide and review this detailed guide to the current DMAP standards to work through the application. 

Use your best judgement - all statements should be on your letterhead; we recommend minutes and other communications at least contain your logo; legal documents do not need to be copied onto letterhead.

Once your application is submitted, a staff member reviews it and then it will be assigned to reviewers from the DMAP Board of Directors or our pool of DMAP Ambassadors. These reviewers will remain anonymous to you throughout the process.

If your reviewers find one or more standard incomplete or non-compliant, the application will be returned to you with detailed notes, and you will have an opportunity to revise and resubmit the application. This process may repeat as many times as necessary. Applicants are not penalized for revising and re-submitting their applications. Once all reviewers are satisfied that all standards are compliant, your application will be referred to the DMAP Board for consensus approval via a quarterly vote.

The Primary Contact is the person with the login information for the DMAP Portal, and they should share the login with colleagues.  Alternate Contacts will only receive notifications. If you need to change the email and/or name of contacts and have the login, you may update the information yourself. If you don’t have the login, please email the account details you want updated to [email protected]. 

The current 95 standards fall under 15 topic categories. Standards related to sales and group services, visitor services and membership are optional only if your organization does not perform these functions. All other standards are mandatory.

There are also 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. The applicant does not need to meet these standards to become accredited but must meet at least 10 of the 20 standards to earn Accreditation with Distinction.

Review this detailed guide to the current DMAP the standards.

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 but must meet at least 10 of the 20 standards to be eligible to earn 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:

• Meet all mandatory accreditation standards with no standards marked “Compliant with Opportunity for Improvement”.
• 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.
• Meet at least 10 of the 20 Aspirational Standards.

Destinations International members receive big discounts off DMAP fees. Learn about DI membership.

Email [email protected] with your DMO name and the type of fee you are paying (annual report, accreditation, reaccreditation). Our finance department will send you an invoice. After we receive payment, your application will be unlocked.

• An organization has one year from the date of payment to submit their accreditation application. Accreditation applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  
• Submit your application by March 31 to be considered for recognition at DI’s Annual Convention ceremony. Timely submission does not guarantee that your application will be completed in time for the upcoming ceremony, in which case recognition will happen at the following year’s DI Annual Convention.

Accredited destination organizations are strongly encouraged to use the “DMAP Accredited” or “DMAP Accredited with Distinction” seal graphics in appropriate places such as letterhead, business cards, web pages, and in printed/electronic promotional materials.

DI will email the primary contact with the good news, including a sample press release and graphics you may use through your five-year cycle. Review the Seal Guidelines here.

Review this short guide to the DMAP Annual Progress Report Process.

Due to the confidentiality and privacy policies governing the DMAP accreditation program, we are not permitted to release detailed information regarding any organization's accreditation history, application or review communications. That information may only be shared with the designated representatives from the organization who are authorized to request it, given the sensitive nature of the documentation and assessments involved. If the designated representative from emails us confirmation that someone should be added to their system account as having access, we can assist.