VisitPITTSBURGH Receives DMAP Designation at Destinations International’s Annual Convention

(PITTSBURGH, PA) – VisitPITTSBURGH was awarded with the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) designation by Destinations International in recognition of the organization's commitment to industry excellence and meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination organizations around the world.

The accreditation program requires a destination organization to successfully comply with a multitude of mandatory and voluntary standards that span a variety of performance areas to gain this momentous achievement. The standards cover nearly all aspects related to the management and marketing of destination organizations including governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research.

“We are delighted to welcome VisitPITTSBURGH to our esteemed DMAP community," stated Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International. "The relevance of destination organizations has never been more vital to the economic vitality of the places Destinations International members serve, and this industry accreditation is a benchmark for quality and performance. My gratitude extends to the DMAP Board of Directors for their dedication to our industry and their stewardship of this crucial program."

This marks the 17th year that VisitPITTSBURGH has received the DMAP designation.

“We’re thrilled to have VisitPITTSBURGH’s commitment to excellence recognized on a global scale,” said Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “VisitPITTSBURGH has a tremendous team in place dedicated to the development, marketing and promotion of Allegheny County, and it continues to show across our global tourism brand, strong community partnerships and industry-leading initiatives.”

"Accreditation through DMAP underscores the critical role that destination organizations play in their communities," stated Tania Armenta, President & CEO of Visit Albuquerque and chair of the DMAP Board of Directors. "As custodians of their destinations' brands, participation in DMAP underscores a destination organization’s adherence to rigorous standards. This commitment is a clear signal to stakeholders that the organization managing the destination brand possesses the necessary infrastructure and expertise to beneficially influence the visitor economy for both tourists and local residents."

For more information about DMAP, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.

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About Destinations International:
Destinations International is the world’s largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.

About VisitPITTSBURGH:
VisitPITTSBURGH is the official tourism marketing and promotion agency of the Pittsburgh region. The organization is dedicated to generating business events, sports events and leisure travel.