History of the Foundation

Q1 total grants approved: $328,117

Website Usability Research Study​:

Future Partners will conduct a UX study using surveys, interviews and heat mapping to assess navigation, content and engagement. The result will be clear, actionable recommendations to improve user pathways, search and content delivery based on real member behavior. $24,650

Executive Compensation Industry Brief & Report:

The study will analyze compensation structures, performance expectations, transparency and benchmarking against other public-good and nonprofit leaders. It will position executive pay as an investment in organizational performance, competitiveness and community outcomes, supported by clear metrics and case studies. $50,000

Destination Effect Awareness Program:

This program strengthens advocacy through real-time political tracking, the DestinationEffect campaign and a new grassroots platform that equips members with aligned messaging and tools for local action. Global lexicons and partnerships with organizations such as the USCM and NACo ensure culturally relevant communication, stronger engagement with policymakers and a unified voice for the sector. $162,867

Social Impact Capacity Pilot Program for Small Destinations:

Provide scholarships for small destinations to attend a two-part virtual workshop on DI’s Social Impact Framework. Participants will gain practical measurement tools, implementation strategies and a clear roadmap, with follow-up check-ins to track progress. Outcomes will inform a future certificate program for 2027. $5,000

Virtual Advocacy Day Scholarship Program:

Grant funding will support two no-cost Virtual Advocacy Day events that equip destination organizations and their stakeholders with tools to communicate value, influence policy and secure funding. Removing fees ensures broad participation and strengthens advocacy capacity across the sector. $20,000

Technology & Innovation- AI Platform:

Support AI-powered platforms that enhance event experiences through smarter networking, personalized learning, and on-demand insights. This investment extends the value of DI’s education programs, delivers practical tools to members and positions the organization at the forefront of innovation. $5,600

Web Translation Services:

Provide professional translation and native-speaker review of key DI program, educational materials and website resources. This will improve accuracy, increase global accessibility and deepen engagement with members and prospects worldwide. $10,000

Advocacy 2.0 Paid Media Campaign

Description:  Fully integrated advocacy marketing strategy supporting additional high-impact components that work together to create a coordinated, multi-channel engagement model. The focus is on state and local policymakers across Destinations International’s priority markets. $50,000

• Destinations International 2025 DestinationNEXT Future Study
• Destination Organization Awareness Program (Year 4)
• Future Editions of Destination Reputation Research
• Canadian Destination Leadership Council (CDLC) & Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC-AITC) Advocacy Initiative
• Carbon Footprint Measurement of AC
• AI Certificate Programs
• Food Waste Tool Kit
• Indigenous Tool Kit
• Workforce Divesification Narrative
• Human Values Tool Kit
• DI Strategic Planning Invitiaitve with Corragio Group
• Canadian Resident Sentiment Study
• Impact of the Visitor Economy on Canadian Exports
• DI & IGLTA Research & Messaging Toolkit -coming soon!

Using the 2023 Annual Convention to Establish a Baseline Carbon Footprint

To achieve this goal, Destinations International partnered with Maritz Global Events to implement an event-level solution designed to support the following objectives:

• Understand the Carbon Footprint of the Annual Convention: Gain a comprehensive view of the environmental impact across various areas—such as hotel operations, transportation, and third-party partnerships. This insight enables better design of future events by highlighting opportunities for improvement and aligns with our organization’s broader sustainability and stewardship goals.
• Identify Budget and Environmental Savings: Uncover opportunities to reduce food waste, minimize the use of single-use plastics, and lower overall emissions—for example, by opting for locally sourced supplies instead of trucked-in goods.

The Destination Promotion: A Catalyst for Community Vitality Report is a ground-breaking industry study that proves destination promotion is a catalyst for economic development.

Kelsey Hayes joined Destinations International as the Foundation Manager in May of 2024 and Chelsea Dunlop Welter took on the role of Managing Director, Foundation Strategy in December of 2024.

The aim of the campaign and Destination Effect website is to educate policymakers, elected officials, media and the public on the importance and impact of destination organizations.

This report outlines the critical role and importance of Visitor-Based Assessments (VBAs) in continuing to grow the visitor economy in Canada. It has been created to support the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and Destinations International’s Canadian Destination Leadership Council (CDLC) in advocating for the Canadian destination sector.

The Social Impact Assessment Tool is designed for destination organizations to progress workplace inclusivity. By contributing to the tool, destinations can assess their strengths and opportunities across social impact components and measure against a robust database of median and industry-leading best practices.

Destinations International Foundation provides the opportunity for Small Destination Organization Scholarship recipients to attend our Annual Convention, other in-person events or participate in our Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) program. The Foundation also provides a limited number of global scholarships to destination organizations that are outside of North America to participate in Annual Convention.

Sophia Hyder Hock joined the association as the chief diversity officer on February 22, 2022.

Destinations International believes in the importance of cultivating a tourism industry that represents a wide variety of individuals at every level of our member organizations. We celebrate the broad range of human differences among us, while also embracing the commonalities we all share.

The Destinations International Foundation, Destinations International and industry partners officially launched the Destinations International Foundation HBCU and Hospitality Scholarship in 2023 to attract underrepresented and ethnically diverse students who are seeking a degree in hospitality management or tourism management.  

Learn more about how the Foundation supports Canadian destination research and advocacy.

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Learn more about Destinations International's partnership with TIAC. 

When we observe organizations that have built a solid base of support in their community, as well as those who are less effective, we can say that there is specific set of core values that are either present or lacking. This workbook provides a deep dive into the key values of a community shared value or public good and offers insight as to how to create a roadmap for organizations to follow.

Destinations International’s Canadian Destination Leadership Council is comprised of destination organization executives from across Canada. The Council provides a forum for Canadian destination organization executives to meet regularly throughout the year to coordinate on key industry issues including advocacy, resourcing, policy and marketing.

The Council represents Canadian membership within Destinations International and provides strategic guidance to the Association and recommendations for how the Association can best serve its Canadian members. This includes developing content and programs that are valuable to Canadian destination organizations.

Through a new community benefit funding model, Destinations International believes that a destination organization is a community asset responsible for programs promoting a community as an attractive travel destination by enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Under this model everyone benefits.

As our elected officials, the media and our communities are asking for transparency and taking a closer look at our budgets and operations, it is our job to make sure we are prepared to answer any questions by staying vigilant and proactive. We must realize that our local residents are our ultimate customers and make our efforts a shared value in our community and our teams a community asset.

This research provides destinations with a unique opportunity to create a well-informed engagement strategy with local residents on the subject of tourism in their communities.

At our 2018 Annual Conference, we released our policy brief entitled, “The New Tourism Lexicon: Rewriting Our Industry’s Narrative.” In it, we demonstrate why our industry must utilize a new tourism vocabulary to connect with stakeholders in a meaningful way and better illustrate the value of destination organizations. Since 2018, we have released a new iteration of the Tourism Lexicon annually to reflect how our stakeholders spoke about common or public goods in the prior year. 

Travel and meetings are superior vehicles for broadening perspectives, inclusion and understanding among diverse groups of people, yet more and more the travel and meetings industry is being used as a political weapon.  While it is not clear if boycotts are effective, it is abundantly clear the meetings industry is greatly damaged by the cancellation of travel and meetings to the destinations embroiled in controversy.

In an era of declining public support and increased need for transparency, it is more essential than ever for destination organizations to make an emotional and value-based appeal, supporting their message of ROI with the case for how their organization supports the people of the community with new opportunities for work, economic development and public services.

Our advocacy team puts together resources to help destinations pivot their stakeholder messaging to one centered around the organization's true customer: the resident.

Through interactive discussions, case studies, and practical exercises, Advocacy Summit equips attendees with the skills and tools needed to effectively work with the elected leaders, stakeholders, and members of the community. It is an opportunity to learn from experts and peers who have successfully navigated policy landscapes while fostering meaningful connections and collaborative relationships.

This study incorporates a combination of case studies, interviews, literature review, and statistical analysis covering more than 200 cities over 23 years. It confirms that destinations with substantial and growing visitor economies tend to outperform their peers, making destination promotion a true engine of economic development.

The DestinationNEXT Futures Study is a strategic roadmap and global survey that helps destination leaders navigate today’s highly fluid visitor economy to optimize their organizations’ relevance and value. It has been conducted every two years since it was originally launched in 2014.

Each year, 30 individuals under the age of 30 are selected to gain valuable industry networking opportunities and increased thought leadership throughout the year through the 30 Under 30 Program. Since 2011, the DI Foundation has offered nearly 400 honorees the opportunity to enhance their career and professional development.

Originally incubated by the DI Foundation, the Event Impact Calculator is the global standard for measuring net new money coming to a community because of meetings and events. The tool is currently utilized by over 300 destination organizations worldwide.