Tourism is an essential sector that plays a crucial role in the social and economic development of many countries. Tourism boards, also known as destination marketing organizations (DMOs), are responsible for promoting tourism in their respective regions.
But have you ever wondered how many tourism boards are there worldwide? In this article, we will explore the answer to this question.
What is a Tourism Board?
A tourism board or DMO is an organization that promotes tourism in a specific region, state, or country. It works with the stakeholders of the tourism industry such as hotels, restaurants, travel agents, and airlines to create and implement marketing strategies that attract tourists to their destination. The primary goal of a tourism board is to increase visitor numbers and boost the local economy.
How Many Tourism Boards are There?
It’s challenging to determine the exact number of tourism boards worldwide due to various factors such as different names used for DMOs and varying levels of government involvement in tourism. However, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), there are over 200 national tourist organizations (NTOs) globally. These NTOs are responsible for promoting their respective countries’ tourism on an international level.
Apart from NTOs, there are numerous regional and local tourist boards operating across different cities and states globally. For example, in the United States alone, there are over 700 DMOs promoting their respective destinations.
Role of Tourism Boards
Tourism boards play a crucial role in promoting travel destinations worldwide. They work towards creating awareness about lesser-known destinations while also highlighting popular tourist spots. Some of the essential roles that these organizations play include:
- Promotion: Tourism boards create marketing campaigns that showcase their destination’s unique features such as culture, history, cuisine or natural beauty.
- Information: These organizations provide information to travelers about the destination’s attractions, accommodation options, and local events.
- Collaboration: Tourism boards work with local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and tour operators to develop tourism products that meet the needs of travelers.
- Economic Development: By promoting tourism, these organizations create employment opportunities for locals and contribute to the economy’s overall growth.
The Challenges Faced by Tourism Boards
Tourism boards face several challenges in their efforts to promote travel destinations. One of the significant challenges is competition from other destinations that offer similar attractions. Another challenge is the impact of natural disasters or political instability that affects visitor numbers.
Conclusion
Tourism boards play a crucial role in promoting travel destinations worldwide and contribute significantly to the global tourism industry’s growth. While it’s challenging to determine the exact number of DMOs globally, we know that there are over 200 national tourist organizations alone. These organizations face numerous challenges but continue to work towards creating awareness about their respective destinations and attracting more tourists.