Destinations International
Destinations International report links Canada’s visitor economy to export growth
New research for Destinations International, developed with EY-Parthenon, shows inbound visitation is a powerful driver of Canadian goods and services exports. Destinations International (DI) newly released The Impact of the Visitor Economy on Canadian Exports report brings the visitor economy and its impact into sharp focus at a time when Canada is engaged in a national conversation about competi...
Destinations International giving DMOs certificates for their community-driven tourism
Destinations International (DI) has announced the opening of registration for Tourism for All, a virtual, self-paced certificate programme designed to help destination organisations lead community-driven, welcoming tourism that benefits both visitors and residents. Based on a framework grounded in four pillars of best practice – workplaces, visitor experience, community partnerships and marketing ...
Destinations International extends contract of president & CEO through 2027
Destinations International (DI) the global resource for destination organisations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards has announced the contract extension of its president & CEO Don Welsh through to 31 December, 2027. Welsh and the executive committee of the DI Board of Directors mutually agreed to extend the previous agreement, which had been set to conclude at the end ...
Explore Brookhaven, GA, announces new home and new appointments
Georgia, US, tourism board, Explore Brookhaven has announced a slew of new staff announcements and a move to new premises at the Brookhaven City Centre. The news is likely to fuel further momentum in elevating Brookhaven as a destination for meetings and events. Explore Brookhaven has named Tim Grow (pictured) as executive director and Megan Brown as director of marketing, while David Kemp continu...
Destinations International appoints new chief revenue officer
Destinations International (DI), a leading resource for destination organisations, has announced it has appointed Sharon Houghton (pictured) as its chief revenue officer (CRO), a newly elevated executive leadership role, the association said, focused on driving sustainable revenue growth and advancing DI’s global impact. Houghton will lead revenue-focused strategies across DI’s products and tools ...
The overtourism dilemma: Don Welsh on rethinking destination strategies
Theo Reilly speaks to Destinations International CEO Don Welsh, who explains how destinations can beat overtourism and move towards a more responsible approach. In September, I asked a few heads of Finnish CVBs whether “mass sustainable tourism” can exist. “Right now, no” – was the response I got back. In the age of social media trends, Instagram influencers and cheap flights, how can we beat the ...
DestinationNEXT Futures Study 2025: A strategic compass for business events
The 2025 DestinationNEXT Futures Study, published by Destinations International, offers a pivotal roadmap for the global business events sector. It sets out how destination organisations can navigate a landscape marked by rapid change and uncertainty. Based on insights from 537 industry leaders across 36 countries, plus expert advisory panels, this bi-annual report serves as both a benchmarking to...
D.I. research calls for fresh advocacy model amid funding reductions
Nearly 200 destination leaders gathered at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento, California, for Destinations International’s 2025 Advocacy Summit, 21-23 October. The association shared new research and resources to help destination organisations strengthen reputation, advocacy and long-term success. This included the release of The Advocacy Leadership Imperative, as well as previews of the 2025 Reside...
Destinations International launches virtual education courses for destination professionals
Destinations International (DI), a leading resource for destination organisations, has launched an expanded Virtual Education Series designed to offer destination professionals on-demand courses for building skills, strengthening leadership and driving innovation across the tourism sector. The Virtual Education Series will provide focused learning experiences accessible 24/7, allowing participants...
The rise of off-the-beaten-path destinations
Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International, on why lesser-known destinations represent the next growth frontier for the MICE sector Shifting attendee expectations The MICE industry has always been tied to people’s movements – how they travel, congregate, and prioritise value. Increasingly, both leisure travellers and business professionals are turning away from traditional hotspo...
Destinations International 2025: Elevating the DMO conversation
Chicago’s credentials as a business events capital were unmistakably evident during the Destinations International Annual Convention held in July 2025. Hosted at McCormick Place, the event welcomed 2,020 industry leaders from across the globe, including executives from destination marketing organisations (DMOs), economic development agencies, and tourism boards. The convention’s theme, ‘Community,...