The Destinations International Pathfinders Programme is comprised of forward-looking European destination leaders committed to tackling key issues facing destination organizations today. The Pathfinders will work with Destinations International to identify the most significant threats to recovery for European destination organizations and prioritize opportunities for Destinations International, our members, and our partners to address these threats. The Pathfinders will serve as an advisory group, collaborating with Destinations International to identify key opportunities to create value for European destination organizations.  

 

 

 

The Journey 2023

Creating meaningful conversations and connections.  We are building a strong and valuable bridge between North America and Europe and are looking forward to the next steps in our journey in 2024. Here are some initiatives from 2023.

• Online and in person knowledge sharing opportunities on relevant topics throughout the year.
• IMEX Frankfurt, wonderful opportunity to connect with the business events community and host a number of activities. 
• During Annual Convention in Dallas, we welcomed our global leaders to a dinner and we hosted a Pathfinders breakfast. 
• Pathfinders annual gathering in Copenhagen, ahead of PCMA Convening EMEA, was a moderated afternoon with partners and friends.  
• ICCA Congress in Bangkok was the chance to gather our community for dinner and knowledge sharing. 
• 29th November we held a Pathfinders meeting in Barcelona during IBTM World.

The 2024 Pathfinders

• Antwerp & Partners Convention Bureau, Tadeja Pivc Coudyser
• Athens Development and Destination Management Agency, Maria Papadopoulou
• Budapest Convention Bureau, Noemi Molnar-Gyori
• Destination Fyn, Kirsten Rudbeck
• East Sweden Convention Bureau, Jenny Irwin
• Event Wales, Welsh Government, Heledd Williams
• Fáilte Ireland, Paul Mockler
• Geneva Tourisme & Convention Foundation, Alain Pittet
• Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cemil Kilic
• Kyiv Tourism and Promotion Department, Julia Mushta
• Liverpool City Council (Marketing Liverpool), Lisa Owen 
• Lviv Convention Bureau, Yuliia Katynska
• Malmö Convention Bureau, Johan Menso
• Milano & Partners, Sara Coletti
• NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Ian Thomas 
• The Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions, Antonia Koedijk
• Rotterdam Partners Convention Bureau, Eveline van der Pluijm
• Toerisme Veluwe Arnhem Nijmegen, Herre Dijkema 
• Tourismus Marketing GmbH Baden-Württemberg, Eleonora Steenken 
• TSG Tourismus Salzburg GmbH, Klemens Kollenz
• Turisme de Barcelona/ Ajuntament de Barcelona, Rosa Bada
• Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, Esra Güler
• Vienna Tourist Board, Daniela Kolesa
• Visit Belfast, Deborah Collins 
• VisitFlanders, Evelyne Bardyn
• Visit Iceland, Hildur Björg Bæringsdóttir 
• Visit Oulu, Yrjötapio Kivisaari
• Visit Rovaniemi, Sanna Karkkainen
• VisitScotland, Rory Archibald
• Wonderful Copenhagen, Convention Bureau, Cathrine Seidel Tvede 
• Zürich Tourism, Thomas Wüthrich

PRESS RELEASE

 

The Road Ahead...

 

Goals in Europe

•    Expand the Pathfinder Programme to include more global organizations, including North American members, to encourage knowledge-sharing and global collaboration. 
•    Continue to implement robust content strategy for Pathfinder participants, including webinars, regular virtual meetings, and in-person networking at industry events. 
•    Deepen organizational engagement beyond the designated Pathfinder. 
•    Develop or sustain partnerships with regional industry associations, including European Travel Commission and City Destination Alliance. 
•    Audit current DI member benefits, resources, and services to evaluate which are most valuable for European destinations and understand how to market these more effectively. 
•    Develop and launch Europe-specific membership model based on input from European members and Pathfinders.