Role of destination management and marketing organizations in regional development

Abstract

In recent years Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMOs) became a mainstream factor in identifying successful development of a destination and its perspectives for better position in highly competitive tourism markets. They are not only representing a specific destination but are also striving to community development that bring long-term benefits such as attracting more visitors, increasing the economic gains, facilitating future marketing and product development decisions, and generally contributing to regional development through improving community relations and partnership. The paper discusses the roles of the DMMOs in destination management and their structure in relation to regional development. The destination mix elements of Plovdiv and the region and networking realities are presented. Plovdiv is rapidly establishing itself as a tourism destination in Europe and is working hard to strengthen the links between all tourism stakeholders directly or indirectly connected to the destination management. The city's destination management is analysed based on certain activities of organizations involved in tourism development and some recommendations are given.