Industry Leaders Earn Top Tourism Credential as Destinations International Celebrates Sixty Three New CDMEs

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

In a powerful show of professional achievement and industry commitment, Destinations International has announced that 63 destination leaders from across North America and beyond have earned the prestigious Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation in 2025. This milestone, revealed during the association’s Annual Convention in Chicago, reflects a travel sector determined to adapt and excel amid ongoing challenges and transformation.

As tourism rebounds and reshapes in the post-pandemic era, these newly certified executives represent the next wave of strategic thinkers driving the future of destinations worldwide.

CDME: The Tourism Industry’s Gold Standard

The CDME is widely recognized as the highest educational credential for destination management professionals. It’s not merely a certificate—it’s a rigorous program designed to cultivate visionary leadership, strategic planning skills, and advanced operational insight for those leading destination organizations.

Earning this certification requires more than attending classes. Participants dive deep into topics like stakeholder engagement, sustainable tourism, business development, and crisis management. They emerge equipped not only with knowledge but also with the confidence and strategic agility demanded by today’s fast-changing travel landscape.

In an industry shaped by rapid shifts in traveler behavior, new technologies, and evolving community expectations, the CDME has become an essential benchmark for leadership excellence.

A New Class of Leaders Shaping Tourism’s Future

The 2025 class of CDME graduates represents a diverse group of professionals. They span executive directors of regional tourism boards, marketing chiefs at major urban destinations, and independent consultants guiding communities through tourism’s complexities.

Many come from tourism hotspots like New York City, Daytona Beach, and Toronto. Others serve smaller, equally vital destinations like Ruston, Louisiana; Drumheller, Alberta; or High Point, North Carolina. This geographic diversity underscores how the tourism industry thrives on local character, even as it operates in a global marketplace.

From heritage attractions in Albany to rainforest adventures in Belize, these leaders now share a common toolkit for steering their organizations toward sustainable growth, community value, and enhanced traveler experiences.

Why Certification Matters Now More Than Ever

Tourism has undergone seismic shifts in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic upended travel patterns, forced innovation, and put destination organizations under intense pressure to support local economies while managing public health concerns.

Even as travel rebounds, the landscape remains complex. Visitors demand authentic, sustainable experiences. Communities insist on tourism that delivers shared value without overwhelming local resources. Technology continues to reshape marketing and visitor engagement. Competition between destinations grows fiercer, fueled by shifting airline routes and emerging travel hotspots.

In this context, destination leaders cannot rely on traditional playbooks. They must think creatively, collaborate widely, and manage change with confidence. The CDME program provides precisely this strategic foundation, preparing professionals to lead with vision and resilience.

A Network of Collaboration and Knowledge

Becoming a CDME isn’t just about individual achievement—it also connects professionals to a broader network of peers. Graduates join an elite community of tourism executives who regularly exchange insights, share best practices, and collectively elevate industry standards.

This network is crucial in today’s environment, where solutions to challenges like sustainable development, destination stewardship, and workforce recruitment often require industry-wide cooperation. The CDME community acts as a sounding board, innovation lab, and support system rolled into one.

With 63 new leaders now part of this influential network, Destinations International strengthens its role as a catalyst for industry advancement.

Leading with Innovation and Purpose

Among this year’s CDME recipients are professionals like Amanda Carrier of Experience Ruston, Camila Clark of Visit Lauderdale, Erin Wright of Bermuda Tourism Authority, and Paula Port of Destination Toronto. Each is committed to shaping tourism’s future in their communities and beyond.

These leaders will play pivotal roles in areas such as:

• Developing tourism strategies that balance economic impact with community wellbeing
• Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within tourism organizations and visitor experiences
• Harnessing technology and data for smarter marketing and visitor management
• Responding proactively to global events, from health crises to climate challenges
• Championing sustainability and responsible tourism practices

Their collective expertise will be felt not only in the destinations they represent but also across the wider travel industry, influencing how tourism evolves to meet new expectations.

Tourism’s Path Forward

The tourism industry is riding a wave of cautious optimism. Pent-up travel demand is fueling recovery in many markets. Travelers are seeking deeper connections, sustainable experiences, and destinations that reflect genuine local culture.

Yet risks remain—from economic uncertainties to climate impacts. Destination leaders must balance growth with resilience, delivering benefits for both visitors and residents. The new class of CDMEs is uniquely positioned to navigate this balance, ensuring tourism remains a force for good.

By investing in rigorous education and professional development, Destinations International is not only empowering individuals but strengthening the entire industry’s capacity to adapt and thrive.

A Proud Milestone and a Shared Mission

For the 63 professionals who earned their CDME designation in 2025, this moment marks a major career milestone. It’s proof of their dedication, expertise, and readiness to steer their destinations through complex times.

For Destinations International and the broader tourism community, it’s a celebration of leadership, collaboration, and shared commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for global travel.

As these newly minted CDMEs return to their organizations armed with fresh insights and expanded networks, their impact will ripple outward—transforming not only the places they serve but the entire fabric of the travel industry.