DENVER – Today, the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced eight new participants of the Destination Development Mentor program, which matches destination management organizations (DMOs) with experienced tourism consultants who can provide expertise, resources, mentorship and capacity building. The program advances local initiatives that foster economic growth, improve tourism marketing and management, enrich visitor experiences, enhance quality of life for Coloradans, and protect natural resources.
“The tourism industry contributes $28.5 billion to Colorado’s economy and supports over 188,000 jobs across the state. The Destination Development Mentor program helps ensure that communities throughout Colorado benefit from this thriving industry while enhancing quality of life for Coloradans,” said Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of OEDIT.
The selected DMOs will receive 100 hours of project based consulting for local initiatives. This year’s participants include:
- Central City
- Fremont County Tourism Council
- Grand County Tourism Board
- Lake County Tourism Panel
- Logan County
- Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce
- Town of Ridgway
- Visit Manitou Springs
“The Destination Development Mentor program highlights Colorado’s commitment to supporting local tourism economies that highlight the unique regions of Colorado, create jobs and enhance quality of life for local residents,” said Timothy Wolfe, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office. “Through expert consultant guidance, this program supports destinations in their work to promote responsible tourism and ensure Colorado remains a place where both visitors and locals can thrive.”
In addition to fostering economic growth, the Destination Development Mentor program promotes sustainable and regenerative tourism throughout the state and in alignment with the CTO’s landmark Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan. For more information about the Destination Development Mentor program, please visit the program website.