Operational and financial characteristics of convention and visitors bureaux

Abstract

Convention and visitors bureaux (CVBs) have become a dominant type of destination marketing organization since the very first bureau was founded in Detroit in 1895. Nowadays, about 1,000 CVBs are operating in major and secondary metropolitan and resort areas in the United States. Dozens of bureaux can be found in the rest of the world, as well. The aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the management and funding of CVBs especially from a European perspective. The paper is based on a benchmark survey conducted by the author among 100 bureaux throughout the world, with responses secured from 29 CVBs. The analysis of the questionnaire sheds light on several aspects of CVB operations, such as geographic scope, types of shareholders controlling the CVB, membership of individual tourist businesses in the CVB, annual budget, sources of income, main expense categories, target markets, and staffing. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.