The world's largest resource for official destination organisations and convention and visitors bureaus has announced the pioneering launch of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Assessment Tool. Announced during the association's 2022 Annual Convention in Toronto, Canada, the tool is developed for destination organisations to understand how EDI has been integrated into operational practices as a basis to improve and merge performance.
The EDI Assessment Tool will allow destination organisation members of Destinations International to set intentional EDI goals and monitor workplace and community progress via data-driven metrics. Destinations will be able to evaluate workplace dynamics, operations and policies, vendor selection, community engagement, and accessibility-related strategies.
"Many destination organisations recognise the value of incorporating EDI principles into their brand, but it is often hard to know where to start," said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. "This tool will set standard metrics across the industry for our members to keep track of the progress made in the areas of EDI."
The tool will raise awareness and discussion about how to build and implement intentional EDI strategies for destination organisations of all budget sizes worldwide. It will also allow members to filter their results by comparable budget size, geography, tourism asset, and more.
"We have recognised the need for authentic EDI initiatives in our industry and have discussed the need for accountability through measurement and metrics," said Sophia Hyder Hock, chief diversity officer at Destinations International. "This assessment will provide our destination members with the ability to have a baseline understanding of EDI initiatives as it relates to their workplace, policies and operations, vendors, community, and accessibility plans. We are grateful for the partnership with the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP), which sparked the idea to create this groundbreaking tool for our industry."
