New Destinations International Futures Study Provides Recovery Roadmap for Destination Organizations

August 9, 2021

Destinations International, the world’s largest and only association dedicated to destination organizations, CVBs and tourism boards, has released its 2021 DestinationNEXT Futures Study, an updated study of key trends and strategies that will help thousands of destination organizations around the world stay thriving and relevant.

Built on the learnings from the 2014, 2017 and 2019 Futures Studies, the 2021 Futures Study identifies travel and tourism trends while taking a deep dive into the major opportunities for destination marketing and management leaders, thus providing a critical roadmap for destination organizations looking to not only rebuild their visitor economies, but also create more sustainable places, enrich their communities and deliver a sector that is financially self-sustaining in the long-term. 

“Destinations International is committed to providing our members with essential information to help their organizations and communities excel,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International, which boasts almost 6,000 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in 15 countries. “The data presented in this study will help guide destination organizations around the world with a roadmap that will ultimately lead to the recovery of our industry.”

The DestinationNEXT Futures Study is conducted every other year and this year included a comprehensive survey of 706 participants across 52 countries. It identified the following three transformational opportunities for destination organizations to use to improve their organizations and better their communities:

·      Destination alignment: Aligning the public, private and civic sectors drives destination performance

·      Sustainable development: Destination and product development should marry people, planet, profit and policy

·      Values-based marketing: Community values, goals and energy is the new competitive advantage

“This has been an immensely challenging time for visitor economies worldwide,” said MMGY NextFactor President and CEO Paul Ouimet, who served as past managing director of DI’s DestinationNEXT initiative. 

He continued, “While there’s no doubt that our industry will play a critical role in the global recovery, it will be different to the one that we are accustomed to. There will be new challenges, new opportunities and new ways of thinking. It is fair to say the decisions made now will shape the industry for many years to come.”

To download this complimentary report, as well as access DestinationNEXT Futures Studies from past years, go here.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

 

 

Add new comment

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