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Caitlyn Blizzard
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WASHINGTON D.C. (August 19, 2019) – Destinations International today announced the release of the 2019 DestinationNEXT Futures Study. The study is available for complimentary download here.
The 2019 DestinationNEXT Futures Study is a global in-depth report into the major opportunities and trends for destination organization leaders. The study is funded by the Destinations International Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destinations globally by providing education, research, advocacy and leadership development. The study can be used as the cornerstone for the development of a destination’s strategy moving forward, whether it be in the form of a strategic plan, board retreat or tourism master plan.
“Destination organizations around the world are facing emerging economic, political, social and economic challenges that are forcing them to adapt,” said Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. “The DestinationNEXT Futures Study provides destination leaders with a roadmap for the future.”
More than 520 industry and community leaders in 55 countries participated in the 2019 DNEXT global survey to help identify the top trends and strategies in our industry. The results show a much greater emphasis today on destination management and community advocacy.
“The Destinations International Foundation is pleased to underwrite the third iteration of the groundbreaking DestinationNEXT Futures Study,” said John Groh, Chair of the Destinations International Foundation and President/CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The study provides destination organizations around the world with a roadmap for success in the future.”
There were three primary themes from the DestinationNEXT Futures Study:
- Destination organizations today are collaborating more closely with their local communities to define a shared vision for the future that provides long-term benefits for both key stakeholders and residents.
- There is also a much greater emphasis on community-driven destination development that aligns around the three integrated pillars of economic, social and environmental sustainability to drive competitive advantage in today’s global visitor economy.
- The increasingly sophisticated digitization across the industry is connecting destination partners and individual consumers more directly than ever before.
MMGY NextFactor has produced the DestinationNEXT Futures Study since 2014. In addition to the DNEXT Futures Study, NextFactor partners with Destinations International to implement the DestinationNEXT Scenario Model & Assessment Tool, which helps destination organizations and their stakeholders identify challenges and opportunities in their region. To date, more than 200 destinations worldwide have proceeded through the assessment process to align their communities around a shared vision and mission for the future.
“We are very proud to once again produce the DestinationNEXT Futures Study in cooperation with the Destinations International Foundation,” said Paul Ouimet, Partner and President of MMGY NextFactor. “The results this year really show how our global community is focusing on destination stewardship more intentionally.”
For more information and to download the DestinationNEXT Futures Study, visit destinationsinternational.org/reports/destinationnext-futures-study.
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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 destination professionals from around the globe from nearly 600 destinations in 13 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.
About the Destinations International Foundation:
The Destinations International Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destination marketers globally by providing education, research, advocacy and leadership development. The Foundation is classified as a charitable organization, under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and all donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. For more information visit www.destinationsinternational.org.