Professional in Destination Management
CDME class at the 2018 Annual Convention

The Professional in Destination Management (PDM) certificate program provides those new to the destination organization side of the industry (less than one year of experience) with cutting-edge education, offering entry-level personnel the critical skills and knowledge necessary to start their careers in the travel and tourism industry. 

Through this program, participants will learn: how destination organizations and the various departments within an organization function; the role of a destination organization within a community; how destination organizations enhance and benefit their communities; and how to sell your destination to business and leisure travelers.  Upon successful completion of the Professional in Destination Management coursework and the post-course assessments, students will receive a certificate of completion from Destinations International.

COMING SOON
The revamped and updated Professional in Destination Management certificate program will be relaunched as an all new online program designed to help you build specific competencies in destination organization management by completing a defined educational curriculum, developed by industry experts.

The two required courses for the Professional in Destination Management (PDM) certificate program include:

  • Fundamentals of Destination Management
  • Fundamentals of Sales

Course Details

Fundamentals of Destination Management

The Fundamentals of Destination and Management focuses on evolving trends in the travel and tourism industry and how destination organizations successfully align with these changes. Key to this success are the operations of the organization and its place within the travel and tourism industry. 

Upon successful completion of this course, attendees will:

  • Understand the evolving role of the destination organization and its value to the destination
  • Understand the destination organization’s operating environment and structure
  • Understand the difference between destination marketing and destination management
  • Understand the need for strategic planning and research/data analysis
  • Understand who the tourism stakeholders are and how to engage them in destination place-making

The Fundamentals of Destination Management course consists of:

  • 11 modules
  • Knowledge checks
  • Additional readings and resources
  • Final exam

Fundamentals of Sales

No sales, no business. It's the most fundamental fact of commerce. However, sales is often one of the most misunderstood and mismanaged aspects of business, despite its obvious and enormous importance. This course will take a deep dive into the sales function and why it’s essential to a destination organization.

Upon successful completion of this course, attendees will:

  • Learn basic sales strategies and tactics
  • Understand the language of sales
  • Prepare for a sales opportunity
  • Begin the discussion on the right foot
  • Make an effective pitch
  • Handle objections
  • Seal the deal
  • Follow up on sales
  • Set sales goals
  • Manage sales data
  • Use a prospect board

The Fundamentals of Sales course consists of:

  • 8 modules
  • Interviews with industry professionals
  • Knowledge checks
  • Additional readings and resources
  • Final exam

Please note:  The PDM courses are not eligible for CDME continuing education credits.

Contact

For assistance or more information, please contact:

Rori Ferensic headshot
Rori Ferensic
Senior Director of Education
+1-202-835-4089
[email protected]
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