The project Innovation and Continuing Education in Destination Management (DEMINA) was planned with the aim of closing the current gaps in educational materials and methodologies for destination management and strategic tourism development. Objectives of the project are as follows: • enhance the qualification / professionalisation of destination organizations and teach them to work with effective tools for increasing their knowledge and skills; • define new professional qualifications at European level for the Destination Organization Worker and the Destination Organization Manager; • create a unique educational and methodological tool for destination audit and management, thus strengthening the training offer in this area; • promote destination audit expertise as part of destination management qualifications in partner countries; • promote and expand interest in destination management in order to contribute to a greater interest in the sustainable development of tourism and regions and related policies; • strengthen at EU level a network of DM specialists, enabling the exchange of expertise to continuously improve their professional knowledge and skills. The project thus focuses on the following specific areas: • Innovation in destination management • the cost-effectiveness, efficiency and effectiveness of financial investment in the development of tourism destinations • improving the skills of managers and workers in the field of destination management and strategic tourism development • application of the European concept of Tourism Learning Areas • strategic and proces-orientated tourism planning The project will implement two outputs: 1. Creation of methodological publication European Model and Methodology for Destination Management and Audit 2. Creation of a training program for destination management staff and staff responsible for the development of tourism at public level, applicable both to the lifelong training of tourism workers and to the training of future tourism workers The project will also include an international five-day seminar for destination experts from partner countries focused on theoretical and practical teaching of the issue, conducted in a real destination and with real data.
The objectives of the project were: - To increase the qualification/professionalisation of destination organisations and to teach them to work with effective tools to increase their knowledge and skills; - to define at European level new professional qualifications for Destination Officer, Destination Manager and Destination Auditor; - to create a education and methodological tool for the destination management and audit and thus strengthen the education/training offer in this field - to promote destination audit expertise as part of destination management qualification in partner countries; - to promote and broaden interest in destination management in order to contribute to increased interest in sustainable and competitive tourism and regional development and related policies; - Strengthen the network of DM specialists at EU level, allowing a continuous improvement of their professional knowledge and skills through the exchange of professional experience.
Before planning the project, the project partners conducted a baseline survey which showed that in their countries evaluation of destinations and their performance is not a part of destination management, tourism and/or public administration educational programmes. In general, it can also be noted that in practically no partner country is specific destination management education a prerequisite for doing this job, either in a managerial or a line position.