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What is a Destination Management Company (DMC)?

by Marie Anne MacRae | 05 7, 2021 | TTC

May 7, 2021 | TTC

by Marie Anne MacRae

The travel industry is a very big place. You may have worked in it for many years and still never heard of a destination management company. If you haven’t, though, you could be missing out on some important business opportunities. 

To celebrate The Travel Corporation’s expansion of our DMC offering , we’re giving the low-down on these crucial pieces of the travel and tourism puzzle. Let’s take a look.

What is a DMC?

A destination management company is an enterprise that manages a range of products and services at a popular travel destination. Put very simply, they’re the companies that make travel experiences work. Whether you’re looking for someone to provide a safari trip, coach tours, cruises, catering or just about any other travel service you can name, it’s a DMC that makes it happen.

DMCs are usually smaller, local organizations that have been on the ground at a destination for years. They bring crucial local knowledge and experience to a travel enterprise, giving international partners the insight they need to create safe and exciting products.

What services can they help me with?

Name any travel experience and you’ll find a DMC out there that can provide it for you. The obvious services they provide are travel experiences that might require specialized equipment or skills, like coach tours, flotilla holidays or safaris. But they can also provide a huge range of smaller services that make the holiday planning experience a lot smoother. These include things like airport pickups and transfers, accommodation bookings, vehicle rental, catering or event management. If you’re looking to provide a really unique experience, such as bungee jumping, rainforest hikes or exclusive entry to local sights, the easiest way to provide it is by going through a DMC.

Why work with a DMC?

Destination Management Companies have two crucial benefits: they’re experts in the local area and specialists in the particular services that they offer. That means that you, as a travel professional, don’t have to be. Working with a DMC allows you to book any experience in any location around the world in the confidence that it will be delivered safely and to a high standard. 

However, the benefits don’t end there. Most DMCs have been running their travel businesses successfully for decades. That means they have localized knowledge about what works and what doesn’t in their region. They know that this road is usually flooded in summer, or that the best views of that valley are at sunrise – the secrets that you simply can’t know. That allows you to create better travel experiences that are more likely to do well in a competitive market.

Finally, many DMCs operate a huge range of different services or have partners that do so. That means that they can act as a one-stop shop when you’re creating a travel package. Bring on a DMC partner and there’s a good chance they can book just about everything you’ll need.

Who hires a DMC?

DMCs are a critical piece of the puzzle for international travel agents. If you’re building a travel product with inclusive services, a destination management company will help you put all the pieces together and plug any logistical gaps. They’re also perfect if you’re building something completely new for the market; they’ll offer a great perspective on the most successful travel experiences in the region.

DMCs are also ideal if you’re creating bespoke travel packages for an exclusive clientele. The huge range of services they provide allows you to be more flexible and plan more complex itineraries. And when your client’s needs change, the DMC is there to help you adapt on the fly, providing services as and when you need them.

DMCs are a big help no matter how you work. To learn more about what DMCs can do for you here at TTC, take a look at our services page. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is.

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Understanding a Destination Management Company

Definition of Destination Management Company (DMC)

What does a dmc do, how dmcs can benefit the b2b travel industry, choosing the right dmc, building a long-term relationship with a dmc.

The travel industry is vertical, with more than a couple of unique business models . Knowing each one of these models can help you understand the playing field better and make informed decisions. The business model of a destination management company causes the most confusion out of all companies in the travel sector.

People use it interchangeably with business models concerned with entirely different processes and services. On the other hand, it’s so easy to mix things up when there are so many business models.

Below you can find carefully curated information to help you understand the meaning of destination management company. You will be able to find everything ranging from definitions to how to choose the right one.

Destination Management Company escapes as many people as the term destination management does . To really understand the meaning of a destination management company, you need to understand two things. First, you need to understand what constitutes a destination. Secondly, you need to understand destination management .

Destination refers to a geographic location ranging from an entire country to a specific tourist sight . Destination management encompasses a wide range of management processes, each managing a unique destination aspect. What’s a DMC, then? Here’s a definition of DMCs:

“DMC is a professional services company that possesses extensive knowledge of a location including expertise and resources which render it capable of developing and implementing activities, tours, transportation, events, and related logistics.” 

Purpose of DMCs

The purpose of DMCs is to discover and utilize the leisure, entertainment, accommodation, transportation, and tourism potential of a destination in the best possible and most optimal way. What’s their purpose? 

They basically tend to establish good connections with local travel-related product suppliers and become experts when it comes to being knowledgeable about their target locations. DMCs can specialize in specific services . For instance, some DMCs specialize in organizing logistics, while others focus more on accommodation, entertainment, or activities in a location. 

Target audience (B2B travel industry)

The most important thing to know about the DMC business model is that these businesses don’t directly sell to consumers. Their target audiences are online travel agencies (OTAs) and travel agents. They are intermediaries between local travel-related product suppliers, travel agencies, and OTAs interested in selling travel products or services in a specific destination. DMCs often offer a database their clients can connect to and benefit from attractive preferential rates.

While we’ve already mentioned some things DMCs specialize in, you need to discover the full scope of DMCs’ operations to understand them completely. 

Services offered by DMCs

Before you start learning about the services offered by DMC, remember that a DMC can specialize in only one service from the list below or provide a unique mix of services.

Ground transportation

DMCs can specialize in providing ground transportation services. They can build a network of all transportation service providers in the region. It enables them to create attractive offers and deliver them to their clients.

Ground transportation can include a wide range of things. It can be as simple as a transfer from the airport to the hotel or more comprehensive services such as safaris, vehicle renting, and off-road tour arrangements.

Accommodation arrangements

DMC can also specialize in accommodation arrangements. It means that some DMC focus on establishing long-term relationships with accommodation providers in a specific region. These can range from big hotel chains and boutique hotels to luxurious and wellness retreats.

Some DMCs networks are so extensive that travel agents cannot find accommodation arrangements on their own. Instead, they have to go through a relevant DMC. In return, they get a knowledgeable partner that vouches for accommodation and offers it at attractive rates. 

Tour planning and operations

You will also be able to find DMCs that offer a complete services bundle to help travel agents attract travelers interested in purchasing complete tours . These DMCs have quite diverse networks of local product suppliers.

It enables them to excel at tour planning and operations. That’s why DMCs specializing in tour planning and operations have complete offers and can even meet the needs of agencies that want to offer customized and personalized travel experiences. 

Event management

Finally, DMCs can cater to the needs of a specific niche of travel agencies called travel management companies. These companies cater to the travel needs of their corporate clients, and event management is one of the most important services they often need to provide.

Event management in a remote location is complex, so they look for DMCs specializing in event management. DMCs deliver a complete quality product to the supply chain so that travel management companies can offer it to their corporate clients.

Key benefits of using a DMC

If you are trying to decide whether to align with a DMC or not, you need all the information you can get to make the right decision. Here are the key benefits of using a DMC .

Cost savings

One of the primary advantages of using a DMC’s services is cost savings. These savings come from the countless hours you’ll save by not sourcing products on your own.

Instead of discovering quality suppliers and negotiating deals with them, thanks to a DMC, you can take a shortcut and immediately introduce those travel products to your offer.

Local knowledge and expertise

There are many little things that make a travel experience memorable. These little things are only available to people with extensive local knowledge and expertise. DMCs are experts on these topics. You can tap into this experience and knowledge and offer memorable experiences to your travelers. It can help you improve your brand’s reputation and get a competitive advantage. 

Personalized service

Personalization is key to creating experiences that perform well in highly competitive markets. However, to deliver a personalized service to your clients, you need a diverse product portfolio for each destination in your offer. That’s where DMCs step in.

Thanks to their extensive local knowledge and expertise, you will be able to access a wide range of products and services in a destination. It will enable you to have several unique itineraries for every destination and meet the needs and preferences of your customers individually. 

Access to exclusive experiences

Thanks to their local knowledge, experience, and good connections with suppliers, DMCs can offer exclusive experiences to travel agencies . These experiences are only accessible through DMCs and would otherwise remain inaccessible to travel companies.

The exclusivity can make the agency’s offer more attractive. As a result, working with a DMC can help increase conversion rates and bring more profits. 

DMCs are an essential piece of the B2B travel industry puzzle. They play a crucial role in facilitating this industry’s growth and promoting destinations to travelers. To understand DMCs’ place in the B2B travel industry, you should discover how DMCs benefit this vertical.

Increased efficiency and productivity

Since you will be tapping into the DMC’s database, you won’t have to devote specific resources to a particular destination. More specifically, you don’t need to reach out to product suppliers, transportation companies, tour operators, and accommodation suppliers.

You will have more time and resources to devote to other essential business processes, which directly translates to increased efficiency and productivity . It applies to the entire B2B travel industry, as there are hundreds of DMCs ready to serve travel agents and OTAs across borders.

Better customer satisfaction and retention

One of the most important things to understand about DMCs is that they are not just regular customers of travel product suppliers. They receive exclusive treatment and the best rates and have priority over other companies trying to contact suppliers.

It means they can source quality products and, in many instances, exclusive travel experiences. How does it affect the B2B travel industry? High-quality travel products and great experiences can delight customers, boost customer satisfaction, and increase customer retention rates.

Streamlined processes and streamlined operations

Furthermore, DMCs help the B2B travel sector by streamlining processes and operations . Simply put, they excel at what they do. Their focus is narrow, which enables them to build great relationships with suppliers and become experts in their niche.

Since they provide database access to travel agents and OTAs, DMCs do essential travel research and booking phases convenient for OTAs’ customers. 

Access to new and emerging markets

Finally, DMCs can help promote destinations in new and emerging markets. The prefix “new” implies that there are few travel agents or OTAs with proper connections to the destination, which significantly limits access to the market in question. 

Instead of investing time and resources to build connections and partnerships with suppliers, travel agents and OTAs can partner with relevant DMCs and get instant access to products the emerging market has to offer.

You are starting to find DMCs as potentially valuable business partners. What’s the next step? You need to choose the right DMC for your company. Here are the top considerations when selecting a DMC.

Considerations when selecting a DMC

Reputation and experience.

Reputation and experience should be top of your list when assessing a potential DMC for your travel business. You can check the reputation in several ways. You can conduct your own online research and look for all the brand mentions, or you can also contact other businesses in your network to learn about their experience working with a DMC in question. Finally, you can look for travel agents and OTAs that work with a particular DMC and then look for travelers’ reviews.

Range of services offered

You know your target travelers best . This knowledge can help you choose the proper DMC to partner with. It all depends on which services you are interested in. As stated earlier, some DMCs specialize in one service while others provide a mix of services. 

Research their services and see whether they align with your target customer needs and business goals . Sometimes, aligning with a DMC that offers a wide range of services is a good option, as it allows you to offer new things to consumers and attract new travelers to your brand.

Responsiveness and customer service

Although responsiveness and customer service fall under the reputation category, we addressed them separately as they are vital for your company’s success. Responsiveness is paramount whether you have a benign question to ask or you are in dire need of help. The faster the DMC responds, the better. Check which channels they offer to their customers.

Also, make sure to pay attention to customer service. Chances are that how they communicate with you is the same way the suppliers in their network will communicate to the customers that purchase products through you. 

Finally, you need to consider a DMC’s local knowledge and expertise. You should take a look at how long they’ve been operating in a location . You can extend your search to how many suppliers they have in their network.

Pay attention to their services as well. The detail-oriented DMCs will have in-depth descriptions, and custom itineraries backed up with relevant images. 

Building a long-term relationship with a DMC doesn’t only revolve around benefiting from the best possible rates and maximizing profits. It’s more about having a trustworthy partner in a target market. It will also reflect on your customer relationship management strategy and enable you to build a reputable brand. Here are a few strategies to help you build a great relationship with a DMC:

• Share your customer data – sharing your customer data with a DMC will paint you as a trusting partner and invite trust from the other side. Plus, it can help DMC better understand your clients and adapt their offer to their liking;
• Hold regular meetings – maintain direct contact with a DMC. Invite a DMC to communicate their interests, and you have yours. Find common ground and start working from there. It can help you build an excellent foundation for team play;
• Build credit with exclusive partnership s – try to work with only one DMC per location. It will enable you to show that you have honest intentions in building a long-term partnership;
• Ask for help – don’t be afraid to ask DMC for help. After all, they are the experts for the location. You can learn a lot from them when it comes to marketing and promotion;
• Attend travel trade shows and fairs together – there is no better way to earn trust and build a long-term relationship than to make your partnerships public. And the best way to do it is to attend the same travel shows and fairs if not together.

DMCs are a vital part of the travel product supply chain . They offer a broad scope of services, including ground transportation, accommodation arrangements, tour planning, and event management. As a B2B partner, DMCs can help increase efficiency and productivity, boost customer satisfaction, streamline processes, and provide access to new and emerging markets .

Since every destination is unique, it’s safe to assume that DMCs will continue to be important in the B2B travel industry . As experienced local experts, DMCs will continue to enable travel agents and OTAs to deliver premium travel experiences to their end customers. 

However, remember that DMCs are not one of those one-size-fits-all solutions . Define your business goals, research target markets, and assess potential DMCs in the location to choose the best one for your business. 

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Cristóbal Reali, VP of Global Sales at Mize, with over 20 years of experience, has led high-performance teams in major companies in the tourism industry, as well as in the public sector. He has successfully undertaken ventures, including a DMO and technology transformation consulting. In his role at Mize, he stands out not only for his analytical and strategic ability but also for effective leadership. He speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. He holds a degree in Economics from UBA, complementing his professional training at Harvard Business School Online.

Mize is the leading hotel booking optimization solution in the world. With over 170 partners using our fintech products, Mize creates new extra profit for the hotel booking industry using its fully automated proprietary technology and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue across its suite of products for its partners. Mize was founded in 2016 with its headquarters in Tel Aviv and offices worldwide.

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A Travel Agency’s Guide To Destination Management Companies

Key takeaways.

• Collaborative partnerships, especially with Destination Management Companies (DMCs), are essential for travel agencies to enhance offerings and precisely meet diverse travel aspirations.
• DMCs play an integral role in connecting local services, going beyond logistics to offer various and tailored services, enriching the overall travel experience.
• Strategic software integrations, including communication tools and online reservation systems, optimize collaboration between travel agencies and DMCs for systematic interactions.

The travel industry, characterized by its constant evolution, caters to the myriad desires of global adventurers seeking personalized and unique experiences. In this era where tailor-made travel is paramount, travel agencies play a crucial role in crafting memorable journeys for their clients.

Recognizing the rising demand for customized experiences, travel agencies increasingly turn to collaboration as a pivotal strategy to elevate their offerings and maintain competitiveness.

In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, collaboration has emerged as a fundamental strategy. Travel agencies now understand the significant value of forming strategic partnerships to provide clients with comprehensive services.

This ensures that every aspect of their travel aspirations is met with precision and excellence. Whether uncovering hidden gems, planning seamless itineraries, or delivering extraordinary experiences, collaboration has become the cornerstone for travel agencies aiming to exceed customer expectations.

This guide delves into one such collaborative avenue gaining prominence in the travel industry – Destination Management Companies (DMCs). Understanding the role of DMCs and how they complement the services of travel agencies is essential for those seeking to enhance their offerings and provide unparalleled travel experiences.

Join us on this exploration as we unravel the intricacies of DMCs and explore the myriad benefits they bring to travel agencies aiming to thrive in this competitive realm.

• What’s a Destination Management Company (DMC)?

A DMC functions as a crucial intermediary, connecting a network of local travel service providers with travel agencies that subsequently resell these services to travelers. Operating primarily from the destination, DMCs possess extensive knowledge of the locale, its unique attributes, regional potential, and a comprehensive understanding of local suppliers.

This expertise enables DMCs to offer a wide array of services, including airport transfers, vehicle rentals, logistical support, hotel and restaurant bookings, tailored activities, workshops, and themed corporate events.

DMCs collaborate with tour operators and directly engage with travel product suppliers to source their inventory. DMCs sometimes operate as hotel wholesalers, securing allotments from local accommodation providers. They then package these travel products into comprehensive offerings, selling them through various channels, including distributors, marketplaces, or directly to end customers.

Prominent DMCs in the industry, such as the Global DMC Network by JTB Group, Hosts Global, Ovation Global DMC, and PRA, exemplify these entities' significant role in shaping and enhancing the travel experience.

Historical Context and Evolution of DMCs

Destination Management Companies trace their origins back to the mid-20th century when the travel industry recognized a growing need for specialized entities to navigate the complexities of international travel. Over time, DMCs have evolved into indispensable partners for travel agencies, expanding beyond logistical support to offer innovative solutions that enrich the travel experience.

Initially acknowledged for their role in managing logistics, DMCs have broadened their scope to become strategic facilitators, leveraging local insights to curate unique and authentic experiences for travelers. Their evolution aligns with the changing dynamics of the travel industry, where personalization and immersive experiences have become paramount.

DMCs remain pivotal in fostering sustainable and responsible tourism as the travel landscape evolves. Their commitment to preserving the cultural and natural integrity of destinations reflects a dedication to meeting the evolving preferences of modern travelers. In essence, DMCs stand as critical contributors, bridging the gap between travelers and the rich tapestry of experiences destinations have to offer.

What’s the difference between a DMC and a travel agency?

A DMC is an intermediary, collaborating with local service providers to tailor personalized itineraries for travel agents' clients. The primary goal of a DMC is to provide a comprehensive service, overseeing different travel elements such as airfare, lodging, and entertainment at the destination. DMCs emphasize unique and less conventional experiences, often engaging with multiple local vendors.

Conversely, a travel agency typically acts as a mediator, connecting clients with suppliers to facilitate booking travel packages. While travel agencies also offer personalized services, their main focus is organizing transportation, lodging, and meals for individual travelers.

The core responsibility of a DMC is to curate and manage comprehensive travel experiences, extending beyond logistics to deliver distinctive and immersive journeys. In comparison, a travel agency excels in efficiently booking standardized travel packages, offering convenience and reliability for clients who prefer established and popular destinations without extensive customization.

To exemplify these differences, consider a client searching for authentic local experiences. A DMC would coordinate activities with local guides, arrange workshops, and organize themed events, enhancing the overall travel experience with a personalized touch.

On the other hand, a travel agency might specialize in efficiently booking standardized travel packages, providing convenience and reliability for clients who prefer well-established and popular destinations without extensive customization.

It is of utmost importance for travel professionals and their clients to thoroughly understand the distinctions mentioned above. This enables them to make well-informed decisions that align with their preferences and travel objectives.

What’s the difference between a DMC and a tour operator?

DMCs and tour operators play distinct roles in the travel industry.

Tour operators, rooted in the rise of mass tourism, serve as intermediaries connecting end consumers with standardized tourism packages. These packages encompass primary services like lodging, transportation, food and additional offerings like guided tours. The primary objective of tour operators is to boost sales volume for these standardized packages, with a relatively limited emphasis on providing personalized customer service.

On the other hand, a DMC specializes in event planning and organization. Utilizing professional tour operators and product managers, DMCs leverage their deep understanding of destinations to offer exceptional services and advice. They excel in tailoring itineraries based on client needs, mainly on events.

DMCs are categorized into Business (congresses, conventions, fairs, and incentive trips), Specialized (pre-designed trips focusing on themes like culture, sun and beach, ecotourism, and romance), and Mixed (a combination of those above). Customer satisfaction is the primary goal for DMCs, emphasizing personalized experiences.

Tour operators create mass-market products to increase sales volume with limited customer service. In contrast, DMCs specialize in tailored experiences, prioritizing attention to detail and customer satisfaction.

Real-world scenarios emphasize the significance of tour operators and DMCs in different travel contexts. Tour operators are adept at catering to the needs of mass tourism by providing standardized packages to a broad audience.

In contrast, DMCs excel in creating bespoke itineraries for specific events or preferences, thereby delivering personalized experiences to niche markets. The collaboration between tour operators and DMCs ensures a flexible travel ecosystem that caters to travelers' mixed needs and preferences across various situations.

• What Services Does a DMC provide?

A DMC capitalizes on local expertise and industry connections to flawlessly plan and execute events. DMCs deliver a wide range of services, adopting a holistic approach to event management. Here's an overview of the services offered by DMCs:

Venue Sourcing

DMCs leverage local insights to pinpoint and secure fitting venues aligned with event objectives. They assist in optimal location selection and offer creative input for onsite branding and decor.

Travel and Transportation

Providing support in travel logistics, DMCs cover airport arrivals, transportation schedules, and private cars and facilitate ride-sharing discounts. This ensures a smooth plan, punctual VIP arrivals, and an elevated overall event experience.

Budget & Supplier Management

Utilizing established local relationships, DMCs negotiate favorable rates, manage budgets, and coordinate details with multiple suppliers. This enables clients to stay within budget while ensuring the systemized execution of all event components.

Event Management

Functioning as an Event Architect, DMCs aid in designing, constructing, and managing events from conception to execution. Leveraging local expertise, they streamline vendor management, offering clients a singular point of contact for an efficient and focused event planning process.

Tours/Activities

Leveraging the destination's uniqueness, DMCs curate memorable experiences for attendees. Considering demographics, safety, creativity, and budget, they plan recreational activities, ensuring an ideal experience from start to finish.

Entertainment

DMCs provide insights into entertainment options and outsourcing local talent based on client preferences. They manage entertainment vendor contracts, transportation arrangements, and ensure special requests are accommodated.

Program Logistics

With in-depth destination knowledge, DMCs handle logistical considerations such as permits, secret entrances, and emergency preparedness plans. They excel at developing backup scenarios, ensuring events run smoothly even in unforeseen circumstances.

DMCs offer a comprehensive service covering venue sourcing, travel, and transportation support, budget and supplier management, event design and execution, curated tours and activities, entertainment coordination, and program logistics. This seamless integration contributes to the success and positive impact of diverse travel experiences.

• Benefits of Working with a DMC

Collaborating with a DMC offers many benefits, prioritizing your peace of mind and streamlining event planning. Here are the key advantages of working with a reputable DMC:

Local Expertise

DMC's unparalleled local knowledge of your chosen destination is the foremost benefit. Beyond access to well-known activities, DMCs offer creative and unique experiences, leveraging their insights. They assist in determining optimal event timing, considering factors such as venues, crowds, weather, and transportation.

Cost-Effectiveness

Contrary to being an unnecessary expense, investing in a DMC often leads to long-term cost savings. DMCs boast strategic partnerships across varied industries, allowing them to negotiate deals and secure discounts unavailable to the general public. Their ability to navigate budget management from the outset helps avoid unexpected costs and ensures fiscal responsibility.

Quality Assurance

Planning an event remotely can be a difficult task. However, you can quickly source venues, vendors, and activities by working with a DMC. DMCs have an extensive knowledge of the local area and can recommend the best options tailored to your event's specific objectives and preferences. This ensures high quality throughout the planning and execution process, giving you peace of mind.

Travel agencies gain significant advantages by collaborating with DMCs, including access to unparalleled local expertise, cost-effectiveness through strategic partnerships, and quality assurance in supplier selection. Testimonials and success stories from travel agencies that have partnered with DMCs can further illustrate the tangible benefits and positive outcomes of such collaborations.

• How Travel Agencies Can Partner with DMCs

DMCs play a significant role in the travel industry, offering services both directly to consumers and through mutually beneficial partnerships with travel agencies and tour operators. This raises the question of how these Business-to-Business (B2B) relationships operate in practice.

Certain DMCs are organized into groups, like LatinPlus and PLUS DMC, to optimize efficiency and reliability. These groups typically consist of DMCs with aligned business values, specializing in specific destinations or markets.

Interactions Between Travel Agencies and DMCs

Calls and emails.

Small-scale DMCs often opt for traditional communication methods, relying on phone calls and emails. While opinions on this approach vary, some consider it inconvenient, others, like Ian Ropke, the founder of Your Japan Private Tours, perceive it as a personal and intimate mode of communication, particularly in the private travel sector.

Ropke highlights that high-end clients expect personalized attention throughout the travel planning process—a level of service that might be challenging for Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) or global DMCs to replicate.

Another illustration of this preference is evident in Adios Adventure Travel, a compact DMC operating in South America that favors communication through phone and email channels. This deliberate choice enables them to tailor itineraries and information according to the specific needs of travel agencies, going so far as to incorporate the agency's branding into documents.

In negotiating rates, Jacquie Whitt, co-owner of Adios Adventure Travel, notes that agencies typically initiate the contact, requesting a quote for a custom trip for their clients. The DMC then provides them with a preferential rate, allowing the agency to add their commission to the overall arrangement.

Online Reservation System

Travel agencies typically utilize online reservation systems (ORS) to access and book the portfolio of a DMC. The primary interaction method involves agents registering through a travel agent extranet, initiating negotiations with an Account Manager to establish terms and conditions. Once their account is activated, agents receive login details, providing them entry to the DMC's travel system.

Various forms of ORS are employed by different DMCs. For instance, Greek DMC Zeus Travel utilizes an e-Tourism platform, while German DMC SETT offers a B2B Online Booking page for agents to input destinations, check availability, and manage reservations. In Southeast Asia, DONG DMC customizes B2B booking engines based on the agent's location.

Jumbo Tours Group, a prominent European DMC, offers agents access to the Jumbobeds ORS. This comprehensive system encompasses tourist services like hotels, transfers, and group travel management, contributing to increased agent productivity. The ORS dynamically adjusts prices and availability based on market conditions, also highlighting special offers in response to current demand.

API Connectivity

Despite technological limitations among many DMCs, some offer Application Programming Interface (API) connectivity. This facilitates the integration of DMC inventory into an agency's system.

For example, the Spanish DMC W2M provides an online booking platform featuring properties, transfers, and attraction tickets, allowing distribution through API or web interface to bedbanks , tour operators, OTAs, and travel wholesalers.

Similarly, Red Apple Travel, a prominent DMC in Asia, facilitates the integration of its standalone and package products, providing real-time pricing and availability through an API.

Jumbo Tours also offers an integrable hotel distribution platform, allowing agencies to connect with Channel Managers and suppliers directly via their API.

Snami Travel, a Cretan DMC specializing in luxury travel services, goes further by providing online booking engines with XML web services for integration. Additionally, Snami Travel offers B2C product widgets that partners can embed on their websites.

Online Marketplaces

Some travel bookings are facilitated through online marketplaces that serve as interfaces for multiple DMCs. These marketplaces aggregate the inventory of various DMCs, providing a platform for travel agents to connect and book services seamlessly. Agents, upon logging into these portals, can directly book DMC services.

For instance, MultiZebra, an Indian marketplace, allows DMCs to upload their packages and rates, enabling agencies to create quotations for chosen destinations. Adalte B2B Travel Hub adopts a similar approach by aggregating DMCs into its Travel Platform, which agencies can either adopt or integrate into their systems using the Tours API provided by Adalte.

In cases where a DMC lacks advanced technology for digital booking portals, marketplaces like Byond Travel step in to establish live booking connections. Vikram Ahuja, CEO of Byond Travel, explains their process of involving teams to coordinate bookings with DMCs that may not have the required technological infrastructure.

Byond Travel compensates travel agents with a share of the commission, ranging from 7 to 15 percent, depending on factors like the time of year and destination. They also offer additional benefits such as a travel-now-pay-later payment plan and assistance with lead generation. Agents can access the entire portfolio and integrate databases into their platforms using XML and API connections, with plans to expand integration with various B2B software.

• How To Select a DMC To Partner With

For travel agencies seeking to form a partnership with a DMC, consider the following criteria to guide your selection process:

Relevant Expertise

When assessing a Destination Management Company (DMC) for relevant expertise, consider a scenario where your customer base consists mainly of adventure-seeking travelers interested in outdoor activities. In this case, ensure that the DMC has proven experience in curating adventure-focused itineraries, arranging outdoor excursions, and collaborating with local guides specializing in adventurous pursuits.

Evaluate their track record with similar clients to gauge their ability to cater specifically to the preferences of adventure enthusiasts, providing a tailored and memorable travel experience. This detailed example highlights the importance of aligning the DMC's expertise with your customer base's unique demands and interests.

Assess the DMC's network of local service providers, including property owners, ground transportation companies, activity providers, and potential collaborations with government bodies. A robust network enhances their ability to meet your tourism expectations.

Examine the DMC's technological capabilities, explicitly focusing on their approach to digital development. In the ever-evolving landscape of advanced communication and digital solutions, ensuring that the DMC aligns with the latest technological trends is crucial. Evaluate their proficiency in leveraging modern tools, software, and platforms to streamline communication, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver a prime experience.

Key Considerations

Communication tools.

Assess the DMC's use of communication tools such as instant messaging platforms, video conferencing, and collaborative project management systems. A tech-savvy DMC will leverage these tools to facilitate real-time communication, ensuring prompt responses and efficient coordination.

Digital Platforms

Inquire about their digital platforms for itinerary management, client communication, and information sharing. An effective DMC should embrace user-friendly digital interfaces that enhance the overall experience for both travel agencies and end clients.

Data Security

Prioritize data security measures in the DMC's technological infrastructure. Verify their commitment to safeguarding sensitive information, especially considering the significance of personal and travel-related data in the industry.

Automation and Integration

Explore whether the DMC incorporates automation into its processes and integrates with other relevant systems. Automation can significantly improve efficiency in booking confirmations, itinerary updates, and financial transactions.

Mobile Accessibility

Consider the DMC's approach to mobile accessibility. With increasing numbers of users relying on mobile devices, a DMC's services and communication channels should be optimized for mobile platforms to ensure accessibility.

By delving into these specific aspects of technological capabilities, travel agencies can understand how a DMC aligns with the modern digital landscape and whether their approach is conducive to efficient collaboration in the travel industry.

Quotes and Commissions

Compare quotes from shortlisted DMCs to ensure competitive rates for similar services. Consider leveraging different DMCs for specific services, such as transfer services from one and tours from another. Request a comprehensive breakdown of commissions, unveiling any potential hidden fees like event management charges tied to custom requirements.

Reliability

Prioritize reliability by researching the DMC's history of collaborations with similar agencies. Verify their business license, seek references, and explore memberships in respected tourism offices. Exercise caution and thoroughness in ensuring the DMC's credibility and reliability.

In navigating the dynamic landscape of travel and forming successful partnerships with DMCs, Voyage Labs stands ready to provide innovative solutions and support.

With a commitment to enhancing the travel agency experience, Voyage Labs empowers agencies to optimize collaboration with DMCs through advanced technology, ensuring smooth communication, efficient bookings, and, ultimately, the delivery of unparalleled travel experiences to clients.

Samuel Corso

Samuel Corso is a software engineer and entrepeneur with deep expertise in systems integrations and reverse-engineering APIs, dating back to his time building commercial ecommerce bots. He's the author of the number one open source project of this kind on GitHub. He also bears unique knowledge of the software infrastructure behind the travel industry. He founded Voyage Labs to help companies unlock cutting-edge software solutions to meet the needs of their customers.

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Table of contents.

Partnership

The DMC works as meeting planner's teammate to make an event successful and provide an exceptional group experience. It's not possible for meeting planners or travel consultants to have extensive knowledge of every destination they recommend to clients. Many have enough knowledge to book about 70% of activities, events, etc., but it's that extra 30% that makes the events go off perfectly. A key service that DMCs help with is airport transportation and activity transfers. They have rights to do business at the airport and have large enough staff to handle multiple flight arrivals in a short period of time. A DMC makes the process smooth and less stressful for all involved. Depending on your destination or hotel, you might find that many activities and events are handled in-house. In that case, a DMC would be used less, but it all depends on your group's needs. At a hotel like the Atlantis in the Bahamas, you can throw a good event using a DMC only for airport transportation. But in a location like St. Maarten, a DMC is essential in helping organize dine-arounds, catamaran trips, final awards dinners, and off-site team building activities. 

One piece of advice is to be very transparent with your DMC. Don't hire a DMC for a site visit if you have no intentions of using them for your trip. Be honest and let them know if you are comparing other DMC providers and give them a realistic timeline of when your decision will be made.

DMCs can provide incredibly helpful local knowledge and expertise that can take your trip from good to great. 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

As is standard practice, our group of talented and experienced travel agents will often accept hosted stay invitations and hosted dinners and activities within a destination in order to facilitate more detailed reviews.  

Written by Marci McCormack

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DMC: What You Need to Know

Destination management companies.

Besides “Deep Meaningful Conversation”, DMC also stands for Destination Management Companies. If you ever had to organize a small event abroad or in another city, you would definitely struggle with logistics. That happens because organizing events in a different city or country has its own difficulties, such as creating the event or program design, planning the excursions, arranging transportation, choosing the right service, hiring and managing suppliers, and, above all, keeping your accounts up to date.

Instead of doing all that by yourself and taking the risk of something going off, you can hire a DMC agency which will give you the chance to deal only with the things that matter the most.

If you are wondering what the main difference between a DMC and an event planner is, you are not the only one. Many people have the same question. So, let us clarify that for you: the main difference is the structure. Instead of having one person working for you, you have a whole team at your disposal, always maintaining a corporate and strategic view.

Organizing successful events is not easy. In fact, even experienced professionals sometimes struggle to ensure that every detail is executed flawlessly.

So, it’s not surprising that when it comes to destination event management, the process can become even more complicated. After all, then you’re not only dealing with the regular challenges of organizing an event but also have to figure out how to put everything together in a different city or even country.

Because of that, destination management companies are usually in high demand. These companies have the experience to handle big events in various environments and know how to avoid the common pitfalls that can put the entire event in jeopardy.

But what is a DMC (destination management company), and how can it help you? And why is SmartWorks a leading choice with destination management professionals? 

Let’s explore below.

Why Would Someone Need a DMC?

If you have experience planning local events, you might be wondering whether you need a destination management company  DMC in the first place. After all, how different could a destination event be, especially if the event type is similar? 

Well, the truth is that while some of the basic aspects of the planning process may be similar, their execution can vary greatly depending on where in the world the event is held. Even if you’re organizing the event in another city, that can add many complications because you won’t be able to rely on the same network of suppliers that you could normally. 

In fact, trying to source suppliers in a new country can prove to be an immense challenge, forcing you to significantly overpay for services and venues, compared to what an experienced local might be able to get.

When asking what is a DMC and why standard  destination management services are so important, many of the benefits come down to the ability to get you exclusive deals and save you money. Since destination management companies work with a wide range of suppliers and organize many events in different cities, they usually have exclusive arrangements that come with significant discounts.

Another reason why destination event planning can be so useful is that you can take advantage of the company’s unique insights about the specific city. 

Things like logistics, accommodation, and even the program of the event itself all depend on where you’re hosting, so having someone on your side who can get the most out of the city’s advantages is a unique perk that’s hard to pass on.

What a DMC Does

Now that we’ve gotten a better idea of why hiring a DMC can help, let’s look at what a destination management company is .

Since a destination management agency has in-depth knowledge about the region that they operate in, they can take over the entire event planning process and put together the whole event without you having to worry about a thing.

In other words, a global DMC network can take over the decision-making process, providing you with their knowledge of the local customs, rules, caterers, venues, and everything else that might be relevant to your event.

For instance, a destination management company (DMC) can take over the logistics planning in your event, ensuring that the transportation to and from your event is efficient, cost-effective, and on time. As you can imagine, each city has its own transportation challenges, so having someone who can help you with their proven process can be invaluable.

Another crucial part of DNC services is the ability to put together the event itself. Finding venues, suppliers, and planning the schedule of the event are all significant challenges. But when you work with professionals familiar with the region, you can rest assured that they’ll find you the best deals and the most reliable vendors.

When planning an event, you not only need to meet your short-term goals but also need it to be a good representation of who you are as a brand. A failed or hectic event can have dramatic consequences for your reputation, so having someone who can help avoid issues is an invaluable asset to have on your side.

And when you consider that destination management companies can significantly reduce your costs by striking better deals, the investment becomes a no-brainer. 

Working with SmartWorks as Your DMC

It’s clear that DMC event planning is a valuable service that can help you save time, money, and even boost your stature as a company. But if you want to reap the benefits that it has to offer, you need to choose a company that can actually follow through on its promises.

We believe that SmartWorks is a top choice for destination management in Europe, as we have the experience, the wide-reaching connections, and an impeccable reputation that we’ve carefully built over 12 years of business.

Countless details go into planning DMC events in destinations across the continent, and the process can vary greatly depending on the country and even the city that you want to host in.

Because of that, you need a company with an extensive network of contacts across Europe. SmartWorks is one of the few destination management companies that operate in almost a dozen different countries. 

When you work with us, we can help you put together events in Austria, Hungary, England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Malta, and Czechia.

But why do companies, conference planners , and corporate event planners all over the world choose to work with SmartWorks to organize destination events? Well, there are a few reasons.

First, SmartWorks strives to make communication as simple as possible. When you work with us, you always have a direct line with our decision-makers. That means that information can be shared quickly, decisions are made instantly, we can provide you with answers to all of your questions at any time, and we’re very flexible about various details of the event.

Whenever you need an answer or have an urgent situation, you can reach us through WhatsApp, email, or phone, no matter what the time might be.

Working with SmartWorks also means enjoying financial perks. Whether you want us to put together an entire event or just want specific services, you will be able to apply a 0% VAT rate, which means significant savings.

We also have exclusive arrangements with suppliers, caterers, venues, and entertainment across Europe, allowing you to take advantage of deals that wouldn’t be available otherwise. Our relationships with suppliers have been built over many decades, which is why you can enjoy these good relationships and the flexibility that comes with it.

And because we have experience organizing events all across Europe, we have relationships in almost a dozen different countries. We can provide you with guidance on how to approach event planning in different cities.

If you don’t need the whole event organized and just want help with different aspects, we can be as much or as little involved in the process. Whether you want help finding a venue, want us to organize the staff, or need help with the logistics, we are there to offer our insights and put everything together according to your preferences. 

Some of the services we offer include: 

• All of the staff for your events, including security, basic hands, models, and even a host/hostess. 
• Venue selection, including off-site gala dinner venue, selected according to your unique event needs.
• Custom activity creation at the destination, including team-building, leisure, cultural, sightseeing, etc.
• Logistics and transfers to and from your event, as well as anywhere else that might be necessary.
• Various technical solutions for your event, including AV production . 
• Housing and registration for your guests, performers, staff, speakers, and anyone else.
• Management of suppliers, including catering and everything involved with it.

We also have experience organizing a wide range of different events. These include: 

Conferences

We can help you put together a conference that creates a buzz in your industry and positions you as a thought leader. We can take over the entire event planning process and ensure that your vision is fully realized.

Product Launches

When launching a new product, making a strong statement is essential. Therefore, we’ll ensure that everything from the location to the presentation and execution will be flawless, and will help you create a one-of-a-kind experience using technology that leaves your audience impressed.

Gala Dinners

Keeping your stakeholders happy is essential, which is why the details of your gala dinner must be carefully considered and executed. We have put together gala dinners at some of the most exclusive venues in Europe and can help you find the perfect spot in many beautiful European cities.

Team Building & Incentive Trips

If you want to reward your high-performing team and incentivize your goals, you can take advantage of the luxurious and exclusive team-building experiences that we can offer. You can combine thrilling adventures with accomplishing your business goals, and bring your team closer together in the process.

Start Planning Today

Ready to start planning? To make sure your attendants focus on the important things of your event and instead of worrying or stressing about logistics, you must have all the details covered. We’ve got this. If you still have doubts, get into our website and check out our past projects and our regular clients. We´ve got 15 years of experience and a team of specialists ready to cover your needs.

Finding the right choice among destination management companie s can be a challenge, but the experience and wide range of destinations offered by SmartWorks make us a leading choice if you want to put together an unforgettable experience and event in Europe.  Call (+34) 951 286 856 or fill out a form to get started today!

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What Do Destination Management Companies Do?

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A destination management company (DMC) is a third-party firm that is commonly hired to provide professional services for the planning and implementation of out-of-town event programs and services. The value of a destination management company primarily rests in the company's extensive knowledge of the local area as well as its professional relationships and local resources. A DMC can be of great help to a corporate event and meeting planner who has been charged with coordinating an out-of-town event.

Who Hires a DMC

Any event planner may choose to work with a DMC if the event is outside of their local area. The reasons are simple:

• Only a local planner knows which caterers, transportations services, hotels, and other facilities will provide the best service within the available budget .
• A local planner understands cultural norms and expectations—and knows when prices are being jacked up, or unnecessary extras are being added to a bill.
• A local planner knows where and how to find the best entertainment, freshest food, most helpful staff, and best travel routes.

What a DMC Does

A destination management company (DMC) maintains in-depth local knowledge of the area or region they represent, specifically with regards to the local coordination and implementation of everything from program and event logistics to event activities. In short, a DMC is essentially a highly specialized consultant for practically every aspect of out-of-town event programming.

As a local consultant, most of a DMC's services fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Program Design: These services include venue selection and booking, the organization of event activities, and even event decor.
• Logistics Management: These services include making an event timeline and schedule, booking transportation, and even coordination of guest arrivals and departures.
• Supplier Management: These services include vendor selection and supplier price negotiation.
• Accounting: These services include auditing and payment of vendor invoices, financial negotiations, and providing a detailed accounting to a client.

A DMC can assist a corporate event planner in coordinating transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, and local activities. But while a DMC maintains relationships with all hospitality-related services in their area, the firm's primary service is the organization and planning of the main event itself whether it be a gala dinner, corporate meeting or conference, or even a corporate incentive trip.

In addition to providing local expertise, a DMC also acts as one key contact throughout the event planning process. Often, the DMC will also be able to leverage lower prices by using their tremendous purchasing power to negotiate for preferential rates with local vendors and suppliers. In non-English speaking countries, a DMC may also help to overcome language barriers.

How to Hire a DMC

Destination management companies often belong to the Association of Destination Management Executives ( ADME ), a premier resource for education, standards, and practices for the DMC industry. The ADME is also involved in the certification of destination management professionals and the accreditation of destination management companies.

If you are looking for a DMC, the ADME manages a directory of all of its members by region, which provides a great place to start your search. The DMCs listed in the ADME directory all meet the association's membership criteria which includes requirements for the services the DMC provides as well as other important requirements like carrying an adequate level general liability insurance.

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THE JOURNAL

Travel Inspiration

Why Travel Advisors Use DMCs — and Why They Love Them

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora travel.

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/why-travel-advisors-use-dmcs-and-why-we-love-them

Oia, Santorini, Greece

Being a travel advisor means making a client’s travel dreams come true. To do this, Fora Advisors often call upon destination management companies — travel "friends on the ground," as we like to say. But what exactly is a DMC? Read on to learn more about DMCs — and why Fora Advisors love them. 

Ready to travel? Connect with Fora  to plan and book your getaway today.

What is a DMC?

A DMC is a specialist in their destination; they know all the best hotels, drivers, restaurants, guides and activities. Fora Advisors work directly with DMCs (it's worth noting that DMCs do not work with travelers directly). Think of DMC's as local, on-the-ground contacts who can arrange curated experiences and help with logistics, ensuring seamless transfers and transportation. Fora Advisors still handle all the planning and hotel selection. And even when working with a DMC, travel advisors still unlock the A+ perks that come from working with a Fora Advisor.

When do travel advisors use a destination management company?

Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Travel advisors often call on DMCs when a trip has more than one stop, or when transfers, tours and special activities are involved. Travel advisors also use DMCs when their travelers want to tailor a trip exclusively to their group and take advantage of private experiences.

DMCs will arrange everything, so travelers can sit back and enjoy their trip. DMCs will also provide a contact number should a client need any last-minute changes, or have an emergency during your trip — no need to worry about time zones, since DMCs are on-site. 

What sorts of things can a destination management company arrange?

County Kerry, Ireland

Some of our favorite DMCs can do things like help with transportation logistics, have ferry tickets delivered to a traveler's hotel (ideal when vacationing in Greece , for example) or curate immersive experiences one otherwise might not have had access to: luxuriate on a boat for a day on the Amalfi Coast, visit ruins with an archeologist, enjoy a hands-on cooking class at a local's home in Italy or make perfume while on a trip to Ireland . 

Ready to travel? Connect with Fora to customize and dream up the perfect itinerary — and unlock exclusive perks along the way.

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Destination Management Companies: How Travel Agencies Can Tap Into DMC Potential

• 2 Mar, 2020
• 1 Comment Share

The travel service market operates on a large scale. Online and offline travel agencies provide a wide selection of services to a wide range of audiences, so they rarely have control over the resources at the immediate destination. So, who does then? Destination Management Companies or DMCs are the critical link connecting travelers and service providers. Their strong suit is local knowledge: from regional language to the best tourist opportunities to the most authentic dining places. These niche players offer a lot of opportunities for travel agencies. We spoke with a few industry professionals working with DMCs to share how agencies can benefit from collaborating with destination companies and how to enable this interaction.

How Destination Management Companies work

The role of DMC in the travel supply chain

What DMCs do? The scope of services

Services of a T.I.T Travel DMC in Istanbul

Personalized welcome services at Mautourco

Car rental widget at Worldstar DMC

Travel-associated services. Some DMCs are one-stop-shops that serve the whole travel process including visas, insurance, and other related documents.

How travel agencies can work with DMCs

How travel agents can interact with DMCs

Calls and emails: personal communication between small DMCs and agencies

Small DMCs still use an old school approach of calls and emails. Some think it’s really inconvenient, while others, like Ian Ropke , a founder of Your Japan Private Tours , see it as a more personal interaction: “ Our relationships with high-end travel agencies are exclusively by email and by telephone which is fairly intimate and is about people to people communication.” Ian highlights that it’s justified for the private travel sector where clients are upper- and middle-class: “ These people expect personal attention from planning to arrival to departure and that is what they are paying for. It's almost impossible for an OTA or a global DMC to create this kind of intimate relationship. ” Another small DMC - Adios Adventure Travel - that operates in South America also sticks to phone and email communication. Customizing  itineraries and information to agencies' needs, they can even incorporate it into documents with the agency's branding. When asked about how they negotiate rates with travel agencies, Jacquie Whitt , a co-owner of the DMC, replied, " Usually the travel agency contacts me and asks for a quote for a custom trip for their clients. We give them a preferential rate and they can add on their commission. "

Online reservation system: accessing and booking DMC’s portfolio

Login and registration forms for travel agencies at Orient Tours

API connectivity: integrating DMC inventory into an agency’s system

XML connectivity between a DMC and a travel agency, Source: W2M

Red Apple Travel , a large DMC mainly operating in Asia, also enables integration of its standalone and package products, their real-time price and availability via an API. Jumbo Tours’ hotel distribution platform is also integrable. Their API allows agencies to connect to Channel Managers and directly to suppliers. Snami Travel, a Cretan DMC of luxury travel services, provides online booking engines that partners can integrate using the DMC’s XML web services. In addition, Snami Travel has B2C product widgets that partners can post on their websites.

Online marketplaces: one interface for multiple DMCs

MultiZebra dashboard for DMCs

Adalte B2B Travel Hub aggregates DMCs into its Travel Platform that agencies can adopt. Alternatively, they can insert it into their system using a Tours API that Adalte provides. We asked Vikram Ahuja , CEO of Byond Travel , to let us look under the hood of their marketplace. If a DMC has a digital booking portal, a marketplace can establish a live booking connection with it. But in some cases, DMCs don’t have that level of technology, says Vikram. “ That’s when we involve our teams getting in touch with their booking teams and making the confirmation for the booking”. At Byond Travel, travel agents get paid a share of the selling price: “ We share between 7 to 15 percent of our commission with the agency, depending on the time of the year, the destination, and so on. ” In addition, they offer agents Postpaid , a travel-now-pay-later payment plan, and also lend a hand with lead generation. Agents can access the entire trip portfolio by logging into the system . They can also integrate the database into their platform using XML and API connect. “ We are currently in the process of starting to integrate with a large number of B2B software, ” confirms Vikram.

A Destination + Event Management Company

• ethoseventco
• Aug 22, 2023

What is a Destination Management Company (DMC)?: Decoding the Role of a Niche Event Professional

Updated: Sep 1, 2023

In the dynamic world of event planning, a hidden orchestrator plays a pivotal role in shaping seamless and unforgettable experiences. Have you ever wondered how those intricate tapestries of events, from corporate galas to grand conferences, come together so flawlessly? Behind these scenes, a destination management company (DMC) stands as the mastermind, intricately weaving visions into realities.

Whether you're a seasoned event professional seeking insights or an intrigued enthusiast curious about backstage magic, join us in peeling back the curtain on the world of DMCs. In this exploration, we'll delve deep into the artistry of DMCs, understanding their role as navigators of logistics, creators of immersive experiences, and architects of memories that leave a lasting impression long after the event has ended.

Local Expertise

A DMC is your local guide, equipped with intimate knowledge of the destination and how it can best serve your group. When planning events in a new location, understanding local customs and cultural nuances is crucial. DMCs bridge this gap, ensuring that events are respectful and culturally appropriate. From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, they navigate the city's landscape with finesse, ensuring that every event aspect reflects the essence of the locale. At the surface, this local advantage ensures your experiences are unique, authentic, and not influenced by what Google suggests is best.

As you dive deeper, these local connections ensure your group is a priority, as your DMC will make your presence known. This extra preparation and attention is vital to ensuring a smooth experience for your attendees as the group size increases.

Finally, your event becomes an opportunity to benefit the local community, and your DMC will know what the community needs most. By planting roots within that destination, a DMC can use your business as a force for good by supporting the local economy and implementing a giveback. Not only does this make your attendees feel good, but it creates a ripple effect that can be directly attributed to your event.

Logistical Mastery

Event planning involves intricate logistics required to execute a successful event. A DMC's expertise lies in streamlining transportation, accommodation, venue selection, and technical setups. With years of expertise in the industry, it is essential to have them working behind the scenes for you to set realistic expectations of what your program can look like. Coordinating multiple vendors can be a complex task. From catering to entertainment, DMCs act as a central point of contact, ensuring that all elements align seamlessly to create a cohesive event. In all areas, they leverage local connections to negotiate competitive rates with suppliers. Because they take care of the details, you can focus on the bigger picture, ensuring that your attendees enjoy themselves and make the most of the experience.

With respect to how many tiny details must be covered, transparency and communication form the foundation of a successful partnership. A dependable DMC should be forthcoming about costs, timelines, and potential challenges. If your DMC knows what they are doing, clear communication should feel simple, so there are no surprises along the way, and your expectations are met. In addition to being time-consuming and resource-intensive, it is essential to have a keen eye for cost-effective solutions, helping clients stay within budget while delivering high-quality events. Since a DMC is there to handle the intricate details, they free their client's schedule to focus on other aspects of their roles or business.

Creative Vision

No two programs should be the same. Experienced DMCs know that the goals and objectives of each program vary, so what worked for their previous client may not work for their following one. To ensure nothing is cookie-cutter, DMCs are the creative maestros who transform concepts into captivating experiences unique to each client. With an arsenal of innovative ideas, they design themes, decor, and entertainment that align perfectly with your event's goals and audience. Purposefully planned events should tell a story about the client, the meeting, and the community where the event occurs. This intentionality from the creative world leaves a lasting impression on the attendees, increasing your ROI and making an impact. Above all else, a DMC has the operational, logistical, and creative knowledge to generate ideas that can be brought to life and not turn out to be 'too big to handle' when the time to execute arrives.

Crisis Management

As with everything in life, unexpected challenges can arise during events. With their extensive experience in the industry, DMCs are adept at swift problem-solving, adapting to changes seamlessly, and having a plan B, C, D, and E ready to present. Their boots-on-the-ground presence and local connections resolve any hiccups swiftly, minimizing disruptions and getting your program back on track. Furthermore, a DMC that offers innovative solutions and keeps up with industry trends demonstrates its commitment to delivering fresh and impactful experiences, prioritizing your ROI, and guiding you toward beneficial next steps instead of being a 'yes man' and sacrificing your event goals. It is essential to have a team skilled at anticipating and mitigating risks, ensuring that your event proceeds without disruptions.

How to choose the right Destination Management Company

Choosing the right DMC is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact the success of your event. The process begins with comprehensively evaluating your event's goals, audience, and destination requirements. A reputable DMC should deeply understand your objectives, offering tailored solutions that align with your vision and are not copied and pasted from one event to the next.

Experience and local knowledge are paramount, as their familiarity with the destination ensures that you gain access to exclusive venues, local suppliers, and insider insights that can elevate your event to extraordinary heights. Choose a strategic ally who comprehends your objectives and collaborates to exceed them by redirecting you if needed.

In essence, DMC acts as a strategic ally, leveraging local knowledge, industry expertise, and resources to overcome challenges and ensure the success of every event. It is no secret that planning and executing events can be stressful. By entrusting the process to a DMC, clients can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that professionals are handling the details.

Read our guide below on the 26 Questions your DMC should be prepared to answer at any time when deciding to work with them.

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What is a DMC in tourism?

by Go Together DMC | February 24, 2022 | Destinations , DMC Brazil , Experiences | 0 Comments

Destination Management Company (DMC) or Destination Management Organization (DMO) are the critical link connecting travelers and service providers. They are specialists in local knowledge, from regional language to the best tourist opportunities to the most authentic dining places.

Very objectively, a DMC is a company that provides tourism services for both leisure (individual or groups), as well as incentive and convention trips, and which aggregates absolutely all the services necessary to meet the traveler's needs. From a professional guide waiting for you at airport arrivals, take you and your group to a transfer, to complete organization of a convention and all the logistics involved, among many other things.

What services can GT DMC help me with?

GT DMC can provide unique travel experiences in Brazil.

It is increasingly important that incentive travel provides unique opportunities. People want an experience that they cannot get elsewhere-something new and exciting. Incentive travel destinations must create enthusiasm, and incentive winners need to make lasting memories.

Also, GT DMC have a very close relationship with all Brazilian suppliers, ensuring prices that an agency or operator would not be able to do directly. Our team can manage everything from the boarding in Brazil to the return; every step and service of the itinerary; every phone call with international suppliers and every ticket purchase. The list is long and could go on for a few more pages. We can also guide you through the process of choosing event venues, meetings, hotels with the required profile, formatting tours and authentic experiences, diverse attractions, support staff and so on.

Everything will be under professionals at all times. This increases confidence, making the job easier and guarantees that it will turn out well. Those imponderables will no longer be a problem with a person who knows the destination perfectly by your side.   

Choosing on point

The destination used to speak for itself, but a 2016 Incentive Research Foundation study found that "authentic, unique experiences are essential" where uniqueness and social value trump prestige and status. There is a growing desire for one-of-a-kind events, authentic activities only found at that destination, and experiences that ingrain a lasting impression on the participant. That means unforgettable experiences shouldn't simply be a perk of your incentive travel program: they might be the most important aspect for the foreseeable future.

What are the benefits of working with a DMC?

• DMCs have the ability to create unique event concepts and experiences
• We have extensive knowledge of the Destination: working with a DMC means you can get the opportunity to visit secret gems that may not be known to non-locals, and most importantly, to know what is currently open to the public and what guidelines apply. 
• You will be informed of all the best hotels, activities, restaurants, etc. in Brazil, because GT DMC knows the country thoroughly.
• We work closely with our supplier partners to create highly engaging and custom experiences that amaze event attendees, and reflect the colors of Brazil.
• We have full experience in every type of travel experience you're looking for your company. We can advise you and start planning your travel right now so that everything comes out well.
• We can make your work a lot easier, because you will only have to speak to one person who will contact suppliers and coordinate with them.

What is Incentive Travel and why it matters? 

Incentive travel programs are a way to reward employees for outstanding performances or achieving a very important goal. They have proved to be a powerful tool capable of strengthening the relationship between the company and employees and the organization's image. These trips are intended to recognize efforts and motivate teams to perform high-level work with a focus on results.

But bear in mind that an incentive travel needs to provide more than free tickets and accommodations. It should be a remarkable experience for those contemplated. Thus, they will be able to share these moments with other employees, encouraging them to work harder for future campaigns.

As this award depends on the results achieved, part of the travel costs will be covered by the profits that the company obtained after the campaign itself. In addition, the contributor once awarded, surely will dedicate much more time and efforts to get the trip in the next campaign. On the other hand, those who have not yet been contemplated will have more enthusiasm to try harder after seeing the reports of those who have already won the trip.

4 tips for setting up an incentive trip in your company

1 - MOTIVATE WHO AND WHAT

To create a motivating program, you need to understand who you are trying to motivate. By homing in on your target audience, you learn what rules will be effective and what destinations will be exciting. Additionally, you need to define your business goals. Take the time to strategize up to three clear, concise goals and write them down. You will be amazed at how they bring clarity of purpose for your management team.

2 - HIRE AN INCENTIVE PRO

Sure, you expect us to say this! But if this is your first incentive trip and your group is 20 winners or more, we suggest hiring a DMC. They can offer valuable expertise, fresh ideas, and solutions that save you time and money. Because they have planned hundreds of trips, their capabilities include destination expertise, end-to-end management, global partnerships, and more.

3 - CHOOSE AN ASPIRATION DESTINATION

Selecting a motivational destination is a mix of science and art, which means the expertise of a good DMC can be extremely beneficial. They are pros on destinations, flight options, and "incentive-quality" hotels. They have traveled to most places, seen resorts inside and out, vetted amazing activities, and built strong local partnerships. Additionally, they can help you avoid common mistakes companies make when choosing destinations.

4 - BUILD THE BUDGET

When building a budget, there are several considerations to factor in, from number of trip winners (and guests) to duration of trip, estimated airfares to meals. Two of the most impactful details are the location of the trip and the number of nights. A properly designed incentive travel program will pay for itself with incremental gross margin on increased sales volume and loyalty from your top performers.

It's clear that DMC event planning is a valuable service that can help you save time, money, and even boost your stature as a company. But if you want to reap the benefits that it has to offer, you need to choose a company that can actually follow through on its promises.

GT DMC is a top choice for destination management in Brazil, as we have the experience, the wide-reaching connections, and an impeccable reputation.

Contact one of our travel specialists at www.gotogetherdmc.com and let's start planning a hallmark of a trip for your team!

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A Complete Guide to DMC and Technology That Powers It

Travelers seek the most memorable experience. When travelers book their trip to a foreign destination, they look forward to whatever adventure awaits them. In an unfamiliar land, they are ready to be led by strangers without knowing what to look forward to. Travelers expect intense local experiences, completely different from everyday life. For business events, these travelers expect all their needs to be met.

This is where DMC plays a pivotal role. DMC (Destination Management Companies) are the ones who can handle every detail, ranging from accommodation to activities, to keep everything running smoothly. They play a vital role in making such an unforgettable trip possible.

What is a DMC?

A Destination Management Company (DMC) is a travel service provider that has expertise in designing and managing travel arrangements and experiences for companies, groups, and individuals at a specific location. DMCs provide a broad range of services, such as transfers, tours, activities, accommodations, and other travel-related services.

DMCs are typically local companies with extensive knowledge of the destination they serve, including its history, geography, and culture. They use this knowledge to design customized travel itineraries that cater to their client’s unique interests and preferences.

Due to their connections and holdings in the area, DMCs are favored by travelers and corporations over regular travel companies.

Importance of DMC in travel

There are many benefits to working with DMCs. Their services are ideal for travel agents, agencies, and other travel service providers.

Local connection

The travel industry often experiences a lack of connection between local service providers and destinations. It is possible to arrange services online for distant locations, but the lack of in-depth knowledge of the potential challenges, local factors, and vendors will be challenging.

DMCs solve this problem by providing high-quality local experiences. Their expertise and connection with local service providers enable them to offer advice and create an itinerary that covers the essential experiences to have besides ensuring a safe and comfortable stay.

Handles emergency

DMCs provide a wide range of services that can be invaluable when faced with challenging situations. Adapting quickly to changing client needs is one of the benefits of partnering with a DMC. For instance, if dealing with a demanding client, a DMC partner can adapt to their evolving needs, satisfying their expectations of top-notch service.

Furthermore, a large number of DMCs have the capability of providing emergency response and relief or support. This reinforces the support available in unforeseen situations.

Immersive travel experience

There is a demand for local experiences among travelers. This means immersing themselves wholly in local cuisines, activities, sports, festivals, sights, etc. For such needs, DMC can step up and provide what travel agencies alone can’t.

As an example, tourists of late have demanded services such as stays in local homes, culinary experiences at local homes, and trips to far-off villages for historical insights. DMC along with their regional vendors can plan and execute such unique visits, be it to historical sites, famous artisan markets, remote islands, etc.

Cost-savings

DMC’s relationships with local suppliers result in cost savings. In some cases, DMCs receive discounted rates that aren’t available to travel companies. As well as helping you save money, they deliver a great attendee experience. The network they build is also solid, and they know the standard price for the area. It prevents them from being scammed or paying for unnecessary services.

Assured Quality

When assessing potential suppliers online without direct contact it makes it difficult to assess their quality. The advantage of working with a DMC is that this problem is eliminated. DMCs have a network of trusted and high-quality suppliers through their local knowledge. They can offer useful insight into the most reliable suppliers. You can benefit from their services based on your needs.

What role does DMC play?

DMC’s main role is to act as a local expert and trusted partner for travel companies and event organizers. The scope of their role changes in accordance with the purpose of the trip or travel.

DMC’s role in business trips

DMCs have a deeper and better grasp of the region’s culture, practices, and laws, enabling them to offer guidance and advice on all aspects of event planning. They can assist with choosing appropriate venues, sourcing vendors, and coordinating transportation and logistics.

Meeting, Incentive, Conference, Event (MICE) tourism

DMCs can help organize corporate travel and create destination convention/ meeting programs. For corporate travel planners, DMCs are indispensable. For example, they may secure airport transfers, arrange guides, facilitate translations, and assist with any issues during the trip.

DMCs with their knowledge, connections, and expertise help businesses reserve the finest restaurants, hotels, resorts, or meeting venues. They also take care of configurations, arrange transfers, accommodate specific requirements (rooms or transports for disabled individuals), etc.

People often combine business with leisure. They like to spend leisure time in places they work or have work-related trips in. This has made the concept of ‘bleisure’ a trend that is increasingly popular among business travelers.

Adding recreational activities for business travelers gives them some ‘bleisure’ time and increases employee satisfaction because they return to the workplace feeling refreshed.

DMCs are positioned to support ‘bleisure’ travel, providing businesses with a variety of benefit

DMC’s role in leisure trips

A Destination Management Company offers cruises, safaris, excursions, tours, and a variety of other activities and experiences not available through travel agencies alone. This positions them uniquely to serve travelers who are looking for exciting leisure activities.

Tours/Activities/Excursions

Due to their connections with suppliers, venues, hotels, etc, destination management companies are vastly superior to most travel companies in the area of arranging customized activities for groups, programs, travelers, and themed events. Through DMC travelers have the opportunity to visit places that are not known to non-locals, and above all, they know what is open to the public and what regulations apply.

Many destination management companies organize and execute weddings, educational programs, sporting events, roadshows, concerts, etc.

Services that enhance the travel experience

To provide the most enjoyable leisure activities possible to their clients, DMCs work closely with local tour operators and activity providers.

DMCs provide a high level of personalization for leisure activities. DMCs can tailor activities to meet its client’s specific needs and interests, ensuring a truly engaging experience. They can also recommend activities suited to various age groups, capabilities, and tastes.

DMCs also arrange permits, transfers, bookings, etc. for leisure activities. Travelers can enjoy their vacation without worrying about details.

Other services

Destination Management Company (DMC) offers a variety of services to ensure travelers’ well-being. These services may include arranging for medical assistance, securing police authorization and protection, and handling any other security concerns during the trip.

• Medical emergency- If a traveler falls sick, suffers an injury, or in case of any other medical emergency, a DMC can arrange for medical treatment and transport for the patient to the closest medical center. Also, they may be able to access medical professionals who can provide remote medical assistance.
• Permits- Certain events might need licenses or certain locations might require special permits. A DMC can also obtain permits and permissions from local authorities for such events and activities. These may include permits for filming, events, or other approvals. They have the experience and knowledge to assist travelers in navigating the local laws and regulations, as well as advising on how to resolve any issues they might encounter.
• Security- DMC may provide security services if needed or requested by the traveler. This could be for the traveler or their belongings. As part of this process, local security personnel may be hired, or secure transportation may be arranged.

Having local knowledge and expertise can be invaluable when dealing with challenges or problems on a trip.

Important DMCs

As a travel agency, you will need to partner with different DMCs to provide your customers with the best services. Here are a few DMCs you can partner with for your business.

Escales is a destination management company and luxury concierge service operating from Beirut, Lebanon, and has offices in Dubai, Cannes, and Paris. The company specializes in luxury travel around the globe, with a particular emphasis on European and French markets. In contrast to conventional travel companies, Escales provides high-quality, personalized service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The company customizes holidays to offer travelers an exclusive experience and the highest level of comfort. Their one-of-a-kind luxury travel products include top-tier hotels, villas, apartments, transportation, meeting and greeting, and other personalized services.

Asian Overlands Service

Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel, or AOS, is a Malaysian company that has operated in the leisure and incentive tourism industries for over 45 years. From its humble beginnings in 1976, Asian Overland Services has grown to become a leading and reputable player in the travel industry. Besides offering a B2B booking engine , AOS operates a fleet of vehicles.

Based on its decades of experience in the industry, AOS can provide comprehensive, top-notch tour services . It offers a variety of programs, such as tailor-made packages, eco and nature tours, and incentive programs that can be customized to suit the needs of the client. Additionally, AOS is committed to accessibility management for differently abled travelers and prioritizes sustainable travel practices.

The Fabulous Gateway

The Fabulous Gateway is a destination management company based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. TFG was established in 2015 after the merger of two prestigious travel companies, Reddot Tours and Sri Lanka In Style. The TFG team has more than 30 years of experience in designing and operating tailor-made trips to Sri Lanka. Their in-depth knowledge and experience of the island allow them to create custom tours that offer distinctive and memorable experiences.

The teams at TFG are well-versed in the nuances of Sri Lankan culture and stay on top of the latest trends and destinations. As a team, they are passionate about exploring new properties and undiscovered locations and are committed to providing authentic experiences with local hosts. Experiences such as these allow travelers to thoroughly ingratiate themselves in Sri Lankan culture and create lifelong memories.

Red Apple Holidays

Red Apple Travel Group is a global Destination Management Company (DMC). They provide a high-quality experience by leveraging their 15 years of experience and in-depth knowledge of a wide range of destinations. Their goal is continuous improvement, and they strive to deliver value to clients through scalability, safety, and reliability. Throughout the years, they have built long-lasting relationships with clients, partners, and associates.

Red Apple Travel specializes in Leisure Groups, Leisure FITs, MICEs, and Special Interest Groups. They provide a wide variety of services, including dynamic packages, attractions, contracted and OTA hotels, villas, apartments, restaurants, and in-house fleets. All aspects of DMC services are covered by them. They provide up-to-date destinations and relevant information as well as trustworthy travel management assistance to their clients for a seamless travel experience.

With the advent of technology, travel is changing constantly. Travel businesses that want to provide the highest quality services embrace technology and provide better services for their customers.

This holds for DMCs as well. A competent DMC can innovate, adapt to technology, and excel at using it to deliver unforgettable experiences.

A DMC must invest in cutting-edge technology like DMC software to analyze business, optimize function, and streamline operations.

What is DMC software?

DMC software is a technology solution specifically designed for Destination Management Companies (DMCs). It improves the efficiency of their operations. The system offers a wide range of tools and features to automate functions such as reservation management, itinerary planning, accounting, and reporting. It can also help DMCs manage communication with suppliers, clients, and partners, and measure performance to enhance their business.

Why do Destination Management Companies need software?

DMC software can help DMCs run their business more efficiently, boost their productivity, and improve their overall business while helping them increase their revenue.

Boost your business's growth

The DMC software streamlines the onboarding process and makes it easy for new agents to start booking travel services right away. DMC software lets you integrate suppliers as per your business needs. This ensures that you have access to a wide range of travel products and services to offer your clients.

DMC software allows you to accept payments across multiple currencies, which is crucial in today’s global marketplace. This allows you to cater to clients from around the world and offer seamless booking and payment experiences.

Customer satisfaction

Personalized itineraries that include images and descriptions of products are an excellent way for DMCs to ensure customers are well-informed. Effective communication with customers is also crucial, which can be accomplished through email marketing. DMC lets users provide special offers and promotions, as well as discount modules, which enhance customer satisfaction.

Furthermore, a multilingual front end tailored to specific geographies can improve customer experience by making the booking process more user-friendly for customers from around the world.

Business performance

DMC software gives access to a wide variety of business intelligence reports. This helps users gain insights into business performance and make data-driven decisions. All these features contribute to improving the overall efficiency and profitability of the DMC business .

What are the important features of DMC software?

Destination management software usually consists of several features intended to help destination management companies (DMCs) run their businesses more efficiently.

The following are some of the features of destination management software:

• Itinerary Management: DMCs can create and manage complex itineraries for their clients using the software. An effective travel planning tool should consider all aspects of travel, including transfers, accommodations, meals, activities, etc.
• Direct Contract: DMC’s contract with local properties and get better deals through their local connections. Being local they are more equipped to bargain and get rates that are not offered to other global suppliers. To manage yearly contracts with rates, inventory, offers, and extras they need a strong, robust contract management system. These systems need to be quick in entering data and retrieval of data. DMCs use such systems to distribute their logins to other internal and external buyers.
• Managing Resources: The software should allow DMCs to manage their resources such as guides, local vendors, vehicles, etc. DMCs should be able to designate resources for various events and track their utilization.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): DMCs should be able to manage and track all communications with customers, prospect management, contact management, etc. DMCs should be able to manage their sales funnel, including qualification, lead generation, and conversion, through the platform’s tools.
• Billing and Accounting: DMCs should be able to manage their financial operations using the software. It should provide DMCs with the ability to create and send invoices, monitor payments, and keep track of expenditures.
• Analytics and Reporting: The software should include tools for producing reports and performing data analysis. DMCs should be able to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitor operations.
• Multi-currency and Multilingual Support: DMC software should allow users to transact in multiple currencies and communicate with customers in their preferred language.

Good destination management software must be easy to use, intuitive, robust, and flexible, and meet the specific requirements of the DMC.

OTRAMS offers powerful DMC software that can help your business by simplifying processes, enhancing operational efficiency, and facilitating centralized management. OTRAMS by Qtech Software is the world’s leading travel ERP platform for leveraging technology for business growth. With our innovative technology, you can take your business to new heights.

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The Differences Between a CVB, DMO and DMC

By Beth Buehler

The world seems filled with acronyms, those pesky-yet-handy abbreviations formed from the initial letters of a group of words. Sometimes an acronym like NASA become more commonly used than the full name: National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The meetings and events industry, like many industries, has plenty so here is a brief insight into deciphering some of the alphabet soup combinations so you can communicate like a pro and know how Colorado CVB’s, DMO’s and DMC’s can help.

What is a CVB? A convention and visitor bureau (CVB) is a local tourism marketing organization that specializes in developing convention, meeting and group business as well as leisure travel to a city, county or region. The Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau, and VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau are a few examples of CVBs in Colorado.

VISIT DENVER, for example, describes itself a private, nonprofit trade association that is responsible for marketing metro Denver as a convention and leisure destination. The Bureau is contracted by the City & County of Denver to act as the official marketing agency for Denver, governed by a board of directors and employs a staff of more than 60 professionals, including several employees who specialize in convention sales and service and assist other groups as well. As is true for most, the CVB is funded through a voter-approved lodging tax, membership dues and fundraising efforts.

Courtesy VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau.

What is a DMO? A destination marketing organization (DMO) often is the local CVB, but not every DMO is a CVB. Why the difference? Some destinations don’t have extensive meeting and event facilities or it isn’t a big focus for the local tourism office, even if a decent amount of space is available. In several smaller mountain towns, much of the function space is mainly at the ski resort, so that entity handles most of the convention and conference sales.

Chambers of Commerce in some towns are the DMO, with examples being the Aspen Chamber Resort Association and Visit Greeley (also the Greeley Chamber of Commerce). In Vail, the organization is Vail Valley Partnership, which focuses on destination sales and marketing, Chamber activities and economic growth and advocacy.

Courtesy Aspen Chamber Resort Association.

Courtesy Greeley Chamber of Commerce/Visit Greeley.

How do CVBs and DMOS help? Both offer many services for free to meeting and event planners and should be among the first points of contact in a destination, as they can offer a helpful overview of their geographic area, insights and an extensive network of local contacts and partners. Staff can help planners save a ton of legwork by directing them to properties, venues, restaurants, outfitters and destination management companies that work with groups. Some also have a request for proposal (RFP, yes another acronym!) process that planners can use to avoid all the time necessary in contacting individual entities.

What is a DMC? A destination marketing company (DMC) is totally different than a CVB or DMO. DMCs are businesses that specialize in meetings and events, work in particular destinations and charge for services. The Association of Destination Management Executives International defines a DMC as “a professional services company possessing extensive local knowledge, expertise and resources and specializing in the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, transportation and program logistics.” I also like ADMEI’s description of DMCs as “architects and general contractors for meeting professionals.”

Courtesy AXS Group.

Courtesy Destination Services Corporation (DSC).

What is Destination Colorado? Now you are probably asking, how does Destination Colorado (there is no acronym!) fit in? Destination Colorado is a nonprofit organization designed to provide Colorado resources and information for meeting and event planners. Among Destination Colorado’s more than 120 members (including several CVBs, DMOs and DMCs) and within the organization’s website, planners can find solutions to every requirement and planning challenge. So essentially, Destination Colorado is Colorado’s CVB!

Don’t get too bogged down in the acronym jungle. Use this brief overview to understand some of the key ABCs of the meeting and event industry in Colorado and beyond.

Beth Buehler is editor of Colorado Meetings + Events and Mountain Meetings magazines, has planned numerous meetings and events and enjoys exploring Colorado in all seasons.

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Why use a DMC or Destination Management Company?

What is a dmc or destination management company.

A DMC or Destination Management Company  simply put is a travel agency. However, we cannot leave the definition there. A DMC or Destination Management Company  offers you everything you need to help you organise a corporate event or trip .  It is not based on organising family holidays (which it can do), but is a specialist agency in organising trips for groups whether smaller or larger which, in the majority, travel or undertake an event for corporate purposes.

Where does a DMC works?

As a travel agency a DMC or Destination Management Company could organise trips all over the world. But in this case specialization is generally the key. The figures of the DMC   concentrate on the destination they are most familiar with in order to be able to offer a guarantee on every service level. These services can be offered all over the country or simply locally. There can be receptive DMC agencies specialising only in Málaga, for example, or only Andalucía. In our case we have the ability and experience to work at a national level. So we can offer our services all over Spain.

A Destination Management Company (DMC) is a company that contracts with local service providers (tour guides, restaurants, hotels and other vendors) to prepare and deliver custom itineraries for a travel agent’s clients. The purpose of a DMC is to provide an all-inclusive service to a client by coordinating and contracting the travel services that their client needs such as travel, lodging and entertainment while they are at their destination. A tour operator is similar to a DMC in that they offer customized tours and trip planning services on behalf of a brand or destination. 

DMS stands for Destination Management System . A DMC is a company that contracts with local service providers (tour guides, restaurants, hotels and other vendors) to prepare and deliver custom itineraries for a travel agent’s clients. It is not uncommon to see two or three different companies working together in this way.

In contrast with a tour operator who provides lodging, meals and transportation for individual travelers as well as providing specific services such as booking air/bus tickets or car rentals; DMCs focus on providing an experience that takes you off the beaten track of your typical tourist destinations.

A DMC is a company that contracts with local service providers (tour guides, restaurants, hotels and other vendors) to prepare and deliver custom itineraries for a travel agent’s clients.

A DMC is a company that contracts with local service providers (tour guides, restaurants, hotels and other vendors) to prepare and deliver custom itineraries for a travel agent’s clients. The term “DMC” is often used interchangeably with “travel agent,” but there are many differences between these two industries.

Travel agents typically work with wholesalers or other agencies that specialize in booking travel packages; they act as middlemen between the client and the supplier of their choice. Travel agents can be based out of one particular city or country but may also have offices elsewhere in the world so they can provide additional services such as suggestions for hotels or restaurants on each destination visited by their clients.

The purpose of a DMC is to provide an all-inclusive service to a client by coordinating and contracting the travel services that their client needs such as travel, lodging and entertainment while they are at their destination.

A DMC is an all-inclusive service that provides clients with a travel experience, managing all of their travel needs such as airfare, lodging and entertainment. DMCs also help you manage your business by finding new clients and saving money on marketing expenses.

A DMC will be able to provide the following services:

• Finders Fee – This is when we find the best deal for you from different suppliers in order to save money on your trip or vacation package. We do this by looking at various factors such as flight times, dates available etc., so that we can make sure that everything works out well without any extra charges later down the line (such as cancellation fees).
• Advance Bookings – If there are specific items which need to be pre-booked prior to arrival at destination then this would be done automatically through our system once payment has been processed through Stripe/PayPal account number associated with booking activity!

A travel agent can use a DMC to maximize profit by purchasing a certain package that meets the customer’s needs while minimizing the cost.

A DMC can provide a variety of services such as custom itineraries, hotel reservations, tour packages and more. It also helps in maximizing profits through strategies like bulk buying and reselling tickets at lower prices than what they are currently selling online or offline.

With this kind of service available through your local travel agency, you’ll be able to save money by getting exactly what you want at an affordable price point!

A tour operator is similar to a DMC in that they offer customized tours and trip planning services on behalf of a brand or destination.

A tour operator is similar to a DMC in that they offer customized tours and trip planning services on behalf of a brand or destination. However, unlike a DMC, which can be used as an umbrella term for any company that provides travel services (such as hotels), there are specific differences between the two:

• A tour operator typically offers more than just transportation to your desired destination. In fact, most have their own accommodation and activities planned for you during your stay. They will also be able to help with things like making reservations at restaurants or shopping for souvenirs while you’re away from home!
• Unlike most traditional travel agencies (which usually focus only on booking flights), many tour operators also offer guided tours around their city centers; this allows them access into areas not otherwise accessible by tourists who don’t want anything too strenuous while still being able see everything they came here looking forward too!

A tour operator or travel agency is a company that offers tours and activities. Travel agencies usually specialize in one type of activity or another, such as cycling tours or scuba diving trips. A good example would be Footprints Tanzania , who offer safaris in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

A DMC (Diver’s Management Company) is an organization that provides safe diving locations and equipment for divers on their vacations around the world. These companies are often affiliated with dive shops in each destination where they operate so that you can use them as your local contact point when booking your trip

If you’re looking for an exciting way to explore some of these amazing places without having to worry about getting along with other people, all at once, then I highly recommend looking into setting up something like this!

If you serve travel agents, you may want to consider using DMS software.

If you serve travel agents, you may want to consider using DMS software. DMS is the most efficient way to manage your inventory, and it will help you grow your business by making it easier for clients to find the right tour or package. It also makes it easy for them to pay online so they don’t have to wait in line at an office or travel agency. And with an integrated payment solution like PayPal’s Braintree (which is used by over 150 million consumers), there are no additional fees!

There are many options to choose from when looking at DMS software. We hope that this article has helped you understand the differences between Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and travel agents or tour operators. If you do have any questions about our product or would like more information.

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DMOs vs DMCs vs CVBs: A Comparison Guide

If you're planning a meeting or event in a new location, still searching for the right location for your event, or want to dig deeper into a location’s offerings, you might consider partnering with a DMO, CVB, or DMC. These organizations can help you understand and navigate a destination, recommend local event venues and service providers, and show you everything a location has to offer.

The tourism industry uses three terms for these types of organizations, and while they might run in similar circles, there are important differences between them.

So, what is a DMO vs DMC vs CVB? What do these acronyms mean, and how do they differ from each other? In this blog post, we'll explain the roles and functions of each to help you understand how planners can uplevel their events with the help of these types of organizations.

What Is the Difference Between a DMO, DMC, and CVB?

To start breaking down the differences between DMOs, DMCs, and CVBs, let’s discuss what they each do .

What Does a DMO Do?

A DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) is responsible for promoting a destination to potential visitors and creating a positive image of their location. A DMO is a non-profit organization that works with various stakeholders, such as local businesses, government agencies, and media to help boost tourism and create the best experiences for those who visit and host events.

For planners, this means DMOs are a key to the city! DMOs can provide local expertise to help planners identify and connect with:

• Hotels and accommodations
• Event venues
• Attractions
• Food and beverage operations
• Suppliers and vendors
• Local event sponsors
• Media connections
• Public and private transportation options
• Local regulations and best practices

Once they know what you’re looking for, organizations like these can offer custom recommendations for event programs, such as themed events, local excursions, entertainment, and more based on a planner’s budget, group size, goals, etc. DMOs can even help negotiate contracts, obtain permits, access incentives, and secure publicity.

What Does a CVB Do?

A CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) is essentially synonymous with DMOs. CVBs have the same stakeholders, priorities, and functions as DMOs and, in fact, many CVBs have rebranded themselves as DMOs, and the terms are often used interchangeably.

Why use the term DMO vs CVB? Long story short:

• Not every location includes a convention center, so it wouldn’t be accurate to call a tourism organization at those destinations a “ convention and visitors” bureau (CVB).
• DMO is a more globally recognized term compared to CVB, which makes DMO preferable.
• The use of the word “bureau” in CVB tends to suggest bureaucratic systems, which isn’t what you want to think of when talking about tourism!

What Does a DMC Do?

A DMC (Destination Management Company) provides paid services and logistical support to visitors and event planners, helping to coordinate transportation, accommodation, activities and tours, and events. A DMC is usually a for-profit company that serves clients while promoting their partners, including travel agencies, corporations, associations, and others.

While DMOs primarily assist in showing planners all their locale has to offer, DMCs are often more involved in helping planners manage all destination-related elements of their events. So, DMCs can offer you many of the same services a DMO can, but (for a price), they’ll also execute some elements of your event.

Here’s a quick guide to help you understand the differences between these organizations:

In this post, we’re going to focus on what it looks like to work with DMOs (or CVBs) , but you can learn more about DMCs here .

What Are the Benefits of a DMO for Event Planners?

Working with a DMO can benefit event planners in many ways. Particularly when planners are unfamiliar with a location or are having trouble choosing the perfect destination for their event, a DMO can help pave the way.

Here are some of the ways DMOs can help event planners:

1. Working with a DMO Is Free!

One of the biggest benefits of working with a DMO as a planner is that it doesn’t cost a cent! With cost savings top of mind for many organizations, this is one area where you don’t have to worry about pinching pennies or breaking the bank.

2. Local Connections and Expertise

A DMO can facilitate connections and lasting partnerships with local stakeholders, such as businesses, government agencies, and media. These connections are so useful , especially if planners have a limited local network of their own.

A DMO can also leverage its network and influence to advocate for planners’ interests, resolve any issues or challenges that may arise, and leverage its marketing and promotion channels to give events a boost.

3. Enhanced Attendee Experiences

A DMO can enhance your attendees’ experience by providing added value and support services, such as welcome bags with maps, guides and brochures, and coupons for local businesses, or VIP amenity baskets with local products.

A DMO can also assist with creating and implementing programs and activities that showcase the unique culture, history, and identity of the destination, such as tours, festivals, and other events happening in tandem with planners’ events.

4. Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) Considerations

While choosing an event destination and executing their events, planners must consider ESG factors like sustainability; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I); accessibility; and corporate governance compliance. A DMO can help identify the best partners based on shared priorities and alignment with corporate policies.

For example, DMOs can help planners implement sustainable practices that benefit the destination, the environment, and the community, by partnering with businesses and venues that aim to reduce waste, energy, and water consumption, use local and organic products, and offset carbon emissions.

DMOs can also help identify voluntourism opportunities, whether as a team building exercise or as an added activity for event attendees to participate in during their free time.

Moreover, planners looking for an event venue that prioritizes accessibility and diversity can get help from a DMO to find viable options with the right resources, infrastructure, and inclusive practices.

5. Innovative Offerings

A DMO can foster creativity and innovation by introducing planners to new products, services, and venues that enhance the quality and diversity of local offerings. The more unique experiences a planner can offer attendees, the better! 

Not only does this help planners deliver memorable and engaging experiences, but it also helps differentiate the destination from similar events or previous iterations of an event.

6. Resources to Learn About Your Destination

The more information planners can get about their destination, the better. So, what’s better than having all the details you need handed to you in a curated package?

DMOs have marketing materials for their destination, including professional photos and videos of events and locations, destination brochures and visitor guides, reviews of local businesses, blogs, testimonials, maps, speaker resources, and more.

Not only are these great resources for you and your attendees, but they’re also useful for pitching the location to stakeholders to demonstrate why your destination of choice is the best location for your event!

7. Assistance Planning Itineraries, Transportation, and Logistics

Need help planning an itinerary for a team building event or conference? Want quick and easy details about local transportation options, including parking, buses, shuttles, and more? A DMO can provide you with all these details and help make the logistics portion of your event a breeze.

8. Publicity for Your Events

Who doesn’t love a bit of free publicity? When working with a DMO, they want your event to succeed as much as they want their local businesses to thrive. By plugging your event on their social media and marketing channels, they’re giving your event promotion a boost!

How DMOs Help Hotels, Venues, and Local Businesses

While DMOs can do so much for event planners directly, their involvement with local venues, hotels, and service providers can also be a game changer – not just for these businesses but for planners, too!

Here are a few ways DMOs can help local businesses and, by extension, event planners:

1. Greater Visibility and Simpler Sourcing

At the end of the day, a DMO wants their local community to thrive, and that means boosting business as much as possible. DMOs can increase the visibility and exposure of hotels, venues, and other local businesses by featuring them on their websites, social media channels, and campaign content, and by circulating positive testimonials and referrals within their network of media outlets, travel agents, associations, and other stakeholders.

Of course, a DMO’s recommendations are only as good as the businesses they’re promoting. That means when an event planner comes to a DMO for help sourcing event venues and partners, they aren’t going to refer just anyone; they’ll find the best of the best and make sure those businesses are front and center for planners to choose from and (hopefully) come back to for future events.

2. Increased Collaboration and Communication

A DMO can foster collaboration and cooperation among hotels and venues, by creating and managing platforms and forums to exchange information, ideas, and best practices. A DMO can foster collaboration and cooperation among hotels and venues, helping to align the efforts and interests of local businesses by providing guidance, leadership, and advocacy. 

For planners, this means a more connected network of venues and vendors who are comfortable working with each other and can offer certain benefits for working within their preferred network of professionals.

3. Improved Offerings and Experiences

DMOs have their ears to the ground, both in the world of planners and hospitality professionals, making them excellent partners to help local businesses improve their offerings. With access to market intelligence, trends, and reviews of local services, DMOs can help hotels, venues, and service providers improve their performance based on post-event feedback.

This is great for local businesses and planners alike, as planners and event attendees benefit from the improvements DMOs help facilitate!

4. Innovative Achievements

A DMO can foster innovation and creativity among local hotels and venues by encouraging them to adopt new technologies, practices, and solutions that enhance their efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and overall offerings.

DMOs can also showcase the innovative achievements of hotels and venues by featuring them in their awards, publications, and events. The more publicity these innovations receive, the easier it is for planners to find interesting experiences to offer their attendees!

5. An Advocate for All

DMOs have the power to advocate for and represent the interests and needs of planners, attendees, local businesses, and residents. They act as a bridge between all these stakeholders, promoting a common vision and ensuring everyone is satisfied with the events at their destination.

That means that in addition to helping their local hotels, venues, and service providers attract business, they operate as advocates to help planners achieve the best experience for their attendees while considering the needs of residents, who may be affected by events happening near their homes.

By working in partnership with all these stakeholders, DMOs play an integral role in establishing long-term relationships and partnerships within the travel and tourism industry at their destination. 

When Should You Work with a DMO?

If you’re on the fence about working with a DMO to help plan and coordinate your events, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I know my event location well enough to find the best venues, experiences, and local recommendations for my attendees?
• Should I try to build lasting partnerships with local venues and businesses so my future events in this location run more smoothly?
• Do I need help ensuring my event is well-received, not only by attendees but also by local businesses and residents?
• Am I interested in more unique, “outside the box” experiences for attendees?
• Do I have niche needs or specific requirements that set my event apart?
• Do I want FREE assistance connecting with local businesses, services, and offerings?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, a DMO is a great place to start!

With so many benefits of working with DMOs and absolutely no cost to event planners, there’s really no reason to go it alone. Whether you’re planning events in a familiar location or just exploring a new destination, DMOs have something to offer every planner in any situation.

This blog is written in partnership with Visit Loudoun .

Hope Salvatori

Hope is a Senior Content Marketing Associate who has been with Cvent for more than two years. She has 8 years of experience producing content for corporations, small businesses, associations, nonprofits, and universities. As a content professional, she has created content for a wide range of industries, including meetings and events, government and defense, education, health, and more.

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