FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Caitlyn Blizzard
1.202.835.4202
WASHINGTON, D.C. (JULY 14, 2021) – Destinations International announced that 22 destination organizations received a Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) designation in recognition of their destination organization’s commitment to industry excellence and meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination marketing organizations around the world. The announcement was made at Destinations International’s hybrid Annual Convention in Baltimore, MD.
The accreditation program requires a destination organization to successfully comply with a multitude of mandatory and voluntary standards that span a variety of performance areas to gain this momentous achievement. The standards cover nearly all aspects related to the management and marketing of destination organizations including governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research.
Several organizations achieved accreditation with distinction, an honor reserved for those destination organizations that go beyond meeting the required standards of accreditation to truly showcase the breadth of their operation and their commitment to advancing the destination they serve.
“We are pleased to have these organizations join our distinguished group of DMAP destination organizations,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “The industry distinction defines quality and performance standards for destination organizations, and I look forward to welcoming them to the DMAP community. Thank you to the DMAP Board of Directors for their commitment to our industry and this important program.”
“The DMAP accreditation process is by no means ever a simple undertaking – it’s an intense internal cross-examination of every component in a Destination Organization,” said Maura Gast, FCDME, Executive Director at the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau and chair of the DMAP Board of Directors. “Tackling accreditation in this past year when so much of our world has been in the most dramatic state of upheaval is an even heavier lift. However, this pursuit by our peers, especially in this time, should not be regarded lightly. It’s an assurance to the communities that we serve that we are focused on doing things the right way, and that an independent body of our peers has made that assessment. Congratulations to this year’s accredited organizations on your pursuit of professionalism and best-in-class operations!”
The following accreditations and re-accreditations were announced at Destinations International’s Annual Convention:
Newly Accredited:
- Chattanooga Tourism Co. (With Distinction)
- Convention & Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody
- Finger Lakes Visitors Connection
- Ottawa Tourism (With Distinction)
- Southern Delaware Tourism, Convention & Visitors Bureau of Sussex County
- Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
- Visit Beloit
- Visit Corpus Christi
- Visit Elizabeth City
- Visit Stillwater
Organizations newly accredited listed as “With Distinction” had exemplary applications.
4-Year Renewals:
- Experience Kissimmee
- Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Meet Minneapolis
- Memphis Tourism
- Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Tabasco Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Visit Knoxville
- VisitNorfolk
8-Year Reaccreditation:
- Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Bureau
- New Orleans & Company
- Visit Orlando
- Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
For more information about DMAP, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
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About Destinations International:
Destinations International is the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. Destinations International is about serving destination marketing professionals first and foremost. Together with almost 6,000 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in 15 countries, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association: exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.