Destinations International Studies Examine Diversity, Tourism
December 3, 2020
Destinations International has released two studies that look at key issues facing the travel industry. The first focuses on the role destination organizations play in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion, while the second—conducted with Longwoods International—examines the perception of the travel industry by U.S. residents.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
A follow-up to the baseline data compiled in 2019, DI’s 2020 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Study on Destination Organizations found a need and desire for destination organizations to drive growth in diverse leadership representation at the executive and board levels. The study also identified strategies that should be implemented to cultivate a diverse and inclusive talent pipeline.
“This report has laid a foundation for our members to identify actionable strategies to deliberately cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment within their organization and community,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International.
The identified strategies include the following:
• Establishing an actionable CEO pledge for destination management organizations to solidify a commitment to implement equity, diversity and inclusive best practices to strengthen leadership accountability and advance opportunities for diverse talent into executive, management and board roles.
• Developing and offering opportunities for deeper learning of self-awareness training and EDI educational programming.
• Setting industry best practices and standards to help develop and cultivate diverse candidates for leadership roles within destination organizations by providing access to resources and career-advancing opportunities.
• Continuing to identify, benchmark and track metrics to measure progress and growth within destination organizations to establish industry standards and promote accountability for EDI best practices and initiatives.
• Developing and launching a toolkit to support and provide members with the resources and guidance to implement EDI strategies within their respective destinations.
Resident Sentiment Toward Tourism
DI and Longwoods International’s third annual National Resident Sentiment Towards Tourism study examines how Americans assess the growth of the tourism industry in terms of its benefits to their lives as well as potential pitfalls.
This year’s survey showed that while there remains opportunity to improve the perceived benefit of the industry to communities, a majority of those surveyed agree that tourism is good for their state (64 percent) and local (57 percent) areas. These figures go up by at least 20 percentage points for those who consider themselves informed about tourism.
“This research confirms that there is broad public support for the tourism industry in communities across the country,” said Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International. “But the study also makes clear that the industry would benefit if it did a better job keeping local residents informed on upcoming tourism-related projects and initiatives.”
In partnership with DI, Longwoods will be offering custom resident sentiment research for DI members. These studies will allow cities, regions and states to understand local support for the tourism industry and how that support compares to the national norm. Organizations that wish to learn more about participating in a resident sentiment study can click here for more information.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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