Walton County Tourism Receives DMAP Designation at Destinations International’s Annual Convention

Walton County, FL (July 16, 2024) – Walton County Tourism 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 Walton County Tourism 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."

“Earning our DMAP accreditation is a tremendous accomplishment for our team and I’m incredibly proud of the time and effort they put into this,” said Matt Algarin, tourism director for Walton County Tourism. “The DMAP accreditation shows our commitment to maintaining a high level of standards and accountability within the way we manage our organization.” 

"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.