Destination Wayfinder’s Post

Webinar recommendation. Save and watch with an early Saturday pot of coffee. Too many DMO plans sit in a drawer. Learn how to unlock implementation barriers from 5-10 world leaders focused on rapidly spreading solutions. #thecollective #dmomatters #solutions #stewardship #destination #management #destinationsinternational

Some important updates for the tourism sector in our latest SkyeConnect minibite

Did you join us for our recent webinar with City Nation Place? In case you missed it, here are some of our top takeaways: ➡️ Destination stewardship is an evolution. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the tourism industry should follow best practices already set out by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Criteria. ➡️ Balancing community and visitor needs starts with asking 'why?' The four principles for stewardship can help guide conversations with residents and other stakeholders. ➡️ #Tourism will always be a part of the conversation—whether destination organizations are involved or not. Embracing community engagement fosters collaboration, sparking #innovation that can lead to positive change. ➡️ Measuring stewardship's success goes beyond traditional metrics. Communicating the business case for stewardship should include economic indicators AND the nuanced context about what is happening in communities across the world. Watch the full recording for more insights and practical examples of #destinationstewardship: https://lnkd.in/evzVfs57 Schedule a demo to see how the Wayfinder can help #ChartYourCourse: https://lnkd.in/gvugYQ6f

A cautionary tale: tourism agencies must carry out due diligence to make sure rural "destinations" actually *want* to be "destinations." For instance, quiet Silver City, Nevada, an arts community located in a national historic landmark, was targeted in a regional destination campaign for noise tourism by OHVs without being consulted (no presentations to the official town board or any other local resident groups; no MOU with the other town that wrote for the funding). Silver City is a quiet arts community with no desire for tourism by off road vehicles from other towns. Silver City would, however, welcome arts and culture tourism for selected events. The sad saga of the town's objections to being declared a destination for out-of-town side by side OHVs clubs can be read in the community's longstanding town board agenda item to find solutions to this mistake, which the town had no part in.

🌱 INSPIRATION – Foodie Trip meets Nature Vacation: A Sustainable Weekend in Saarland 🌱 Getting out, discovering something new, and relaxing. Even if you do not have a full week's vacation. 2024 offers several opportunities to spend a long weekend away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with cleverly planned vacation days. So how about a short break in Germany's smallest and sustainably certified state, which boasts three national natural landscapes? Sustainable Destination Saarland Back in 2018, Saarland was the first federal state to be recognized as a sustainable travel destination by TourCert. It is now about to be re-certified for the second time. Important parameters are the quality of products and services, customer orientation, careful use of resources, accessibility, and sustainable mobility offers. Even a weekend is not enough to see it all, it is perfect to get a first impression. To help you stay relaxed and still get the most out of your stay, we have put together a tour suggestion for you ⬇

Golden Shovel Agency writes that in the world of destination marketing, the traditional brochure has long been a staple tool for attracting tourists and promoting a location’s unique offerings. However, as the travel industry continues to evolve and consumer preferences change, community leaders are finding that innovative approaches are key to staying relevant and competitive. In this article, we will explore some creative and forward-thinking strategies that are reshaping the way destinations market themselves.

The travel industry is growing with a vengeance after the pandemic. This is an ideal time for destination managers to showcase their locations. But can they do it? What is the difference between a Destination Management Organization and a Destination Marketing Organization? This article has an answer. https://lnkd.in/geDmdhDZ

DMO vs. DSO : Let’s weigh anchor, set sails and ride the wave of change ! Recognising that the destination attractiveness of territories – particularly but not only tourist destination - is not just about places but the people who call them home, a paradigm shift towards a more holistic approach with community aspirations brings out a new framework of what we call DMO (Destination Management Organization). The shift from traditional Destination Management Plans to Destination Stewardship Frameworks (DSO : Destination Stewardship Organization) - requires a core-value based upon shaping a future where tourism is not just about destinations but about the people who make them territories extraordinary.

📣 Introducing our new course: "Stewarding Destinations into a Meaningful Future." We all intuitively understand the importance of destinations to our travel product, and we want those places to exist and meet travelers' needs for a long time. However, as an industry, we aren’t focused enough on centering the health of destinations in our future planning. How can we shift from a profit-driven tourism model to one that prioritizes the well-being of local communities and environments? This course introduces destination stewardship and guides you through actionable projects and resources to preserve and enhance the health of travel destinations. Discover how to create a sustainable future for travel by signing up for the course here: https://hubs.ly/Q02DCs9T0

💓 A Match in the Stays Industry to Make Trips Better! In the world of travel, it’s not just about the destination—it's about who you share the journey with. Did you know that 28% of travelers seek accommodations that allow them to stay together with family and friends? This trend highlights the importance of shared experiences in making trips truly memorable. 🔝 Bridging the gap between hotels and short-term rentals means offering unique, personalized accommodations that meet the unique needs of guests—creating the perfect blend of comfort and connection: https://bit.ly/3Xb73d9