Destinations International Foundation Celebrates Three Decades of Impact and Record Growth

Newly-released 2025 Annual Report highlights historic fundraising success and sustained investments in research, advocacy and workforce development

POTOMAC FALLS, Va., U.S. (Apr. 30, 2026) – The Destinations International (DI) Foundation has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a milestone year of growth and over three decades of transformational impact supporting destination organizations worldwide.

Established in 1993, the DI Foundation has evolved into a critical global resource, investing in innovation, research, advocacy and talent development to help destinations thrive in an increasingly complex environment. During this time, it has incubated and scaled many of the industry’s most influential programs, tools and thought leadership initiatives.

In 2025, the foundation achieved a record-breaking fundraising milestone, surpassing its goal and raising more than $1.2 million. This success builds on strong momentum in recent years, including consecutive campaigns exceeding $1 million annually and growing donor engagement across the global destination community.

“The continued success of the Destinations International Foundation reflects the shared commitment of our industry to invest in its future,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International. “For more than a decade, the foundation has been a catalyst for innovation, supporting groundbreaking research, advancing advocacy efforts and developing the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of destination organizations.”

A Decade of Industry-Shaping Programs

Since its inception, the foundation has launched and supported a wide range of initiatives that have become foundational to the global destination sector. Early investments helped establish advocacy and research capabilities, including landmark studies such as Destination Promotion: A Vehicle for Economic Development, which elevated the understanding of tourism’s role in community vitality.
Over time, the DI Foundation expanded its portfolio to address the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including:

• Industry-leading research and insights, such as the DestinationNEXT Futures Study, Destination Reputation and Resident Sentiment studies, equipping destination leaders with data to navigate evolving societal expectations and community dynamics
• Advocacy and community alignment initiatives, including the Community Shared Value model and national advocacy strategies that help destinations articulate their economic and social impact
• Workforce development and leadership programs, including 30 Under 30, Rising Industry Professionals, Pathways to Success Scholarship and Professional Development Program and other efforts to expand opportunity and accelerate talent development in the industry
• Scholarship programs, including funding opportunities for CDME candidates and professionals from small destinations to participate in DI programs and global scholarships for DI’s Annual Convention
• Innovative tools and frameworks, including economic impact resources like the Event Impact Calculator and carbon footprint measurement for destinations, the Destination Guide to Food Recovery & Redistribution at Events and evolving guidance on community engagement and stewardship 

Many of these initiatives began as foundation-supported pilot programs and have since scaled into widely adopted industry resources, demonstrating the foundation’s role as an incubator for innovation and long-term sector advancement. 

“The Destinations International Foundation has created meaningful, lasting impact across our industry for three decades,” said Chelsea Welter, Managing Director of the Destinations International Foundation. “As the industry’s foundation, we are proud to invest in forward-thinking ideas and initiatives that strengthen destination organizations at every level, from critical research and advocacy to workforce development and leadership. This work is made possible through the continued support of our members and partners, whose investment year after year allows us to grow, evolve and elevate the foundation’s impact, together building a stronger, more resilient and more impactful future for our global community.”

Sustained Momentum and Future Investment

Recent years have marked a period of accelerated growth for the DI Foundation, fueled by strategic fundraising initiatives, increased industry participation and signature efforts such as silent auctions and targeted investment campaigns. These efforts continue to expand the foundation’s ability to fund high-impact programs and respond to emerging industry needs.

The 2025 Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of the Foundation’s financial performance, programmatic achievements and strategic priorities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing destination organizations as essential drivers of community vitality and economic opportunity. The full report is available online.