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Destination Development Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary The Destination Sales Manager is responsible for generating economic impact through business development and by promoting and selling the Richmond Region as the ideal destination for ...

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Director, The Slover

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$147K - $214K/yr

Venue & Destination Operations * Oversees The Slover as a premier event venue and multi-use ... Expands opportunities for economic development through strategic partnerships and community ...

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Destination Development information

What is a destination development?

A Destination Development job focuses on enhancing and improving a location to attract more visitors while ensuring sustainable growth. Professionals in this role work with local governments, tourism boards, and businesses to develop infrastructure, experiences, and marketing strategies that boost tourism. They analyze traveler trends, plan projects, and collaborate with stakeholders to create a thriving destination. The goal is to balance economic benefits with cultural and environmental sustainability for long-term success.

What are typical daily tasks and projects for someone working in destination development?

Professionals in Destination Development often spend their days conducting market research, meeting with community stakeholders, and collaborating with local businesses and government agencies to plan or enhance tourist offerings. Their projects can involve developing new attractions, improving infrastructure, creating promotional strategies, and assessing the economic and environmental impacts of tourism. Teamwork is a big part of the job, as they regularly coordinate efforts across marketing, urban planning, and hospitality sectors. This dynamic environment requires adaptability and creative problem-solving as priorities can shift based on community needs and tourism trends.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in destination development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Destination Development, you need expertise in tourism planning, market analysis, and project management, often backed by a degree in tourism, hospitality, urban planning, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS mapping software, destination management systems, and tourism impact assessment tools is typically required, and certifications like Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) can be advantageous. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to facilitate partnerships stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are critical for designing, implementing, and promoting successful destination strategies that attract visitors and foster sustainable local growth.

How do I get into destination development?

To pursue a career in destination development, gain experience in tourism, urban planning, or economic development through relevant education or internships. Skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge of local markets are essential, and certifications in tourism or urban planning can enhance prospects.

What are popular job titles related to Destination Development jobs in Virginia?

For Destination Development jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Destination Development jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Destination Development jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Destination Development job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Destination Sales Manager

Richmond, VA • On-site

US Lawns
Construction • 1 - 5K employees

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


U.S. Lawns rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job Description


Position Summary

The Destination Sales Manager is responsible for generating economic impact through business development and by promoting and selling the Richmond Region as the ideal destination for meetings and conventions. This role focuses on securing group business utilizing the region's convention hotels and booking between 20 and 299 peak hotel room nights.


What You\'ll Do
  • Develop and maintain relationships with meeting planners, association executives, corporate decision-makers, hotels, venues, and tourism industry partners.
  • Solicit meetings, conventions, and group business opportunities through sales calls, email outreach, site visits, trade shows, sales missions, presentations, and networking activities.
  • Achieve annual hotel room night booking goals within assigned market segments.
  • Manage and maintain client, account, and sales activity information within RRT's CRM platform (currently Simpleview).
  • Develop and present customized bid packages, proposals, and destination presentations.
  • Coordinate site inspections, familiarization tours, and stakeholder participation throughout the sales process.
  • Partner with hotels, venues, and community stakeholders to identify and secure business opportunities.
  • Collaborate with the Visitor Experience team to ensure a seamless transition of booked business.
  • Negotiate and make decisions related to assigned accounts, projects, and sales opportunities.
  • Develop and execute sales strategies aligned with departmental and organizational goals.
  • Manage assigned travel and business development budgets.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong client, partner, and stakeholder relationships.
  • Represent Richmond Region Tourism at industry events, conferences, trade shows, sales missions, and networking functions, including overnight travel and occasional evening and weekend commitments to support business development activities (travel requirement approximately 35%).

What You\'ll Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Hospitality, Tourism, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of hospitality industry experience, preferably in a CVB or hotel environment
  • Demonstrated success achieving sales goals and generating new business opportunities.
  • Experience building and maintaining client, partner, and stakeholder relationships.
  • Experience utilizing CRM systems and Microsoft 365 applications.
  • Experience developing proposals, presentations, bid packages, or sales materials.
  • Knowledge of the meetings, conventions, tourism, or hospitality industry preferred.

Company Description


Richmond Region Tourismis the Region's primary destination marketing organization. Richmond Region Tourism (RRT) welcomes meeting planners, tournament organizers, tour operators, travel media and leisure travelers to our Region. A nonprofit organization, RRT offers a comprehensive array of information and services to assist the hospitality industry in benefiting from the powerful economic engine that is tourism. The organization is committed to the principle of Equal Employment Opportunity (\u201cEEO\u201d) and to providing a work environment free from bias, discrimination, or harassment.


Mission

Share a passion for the Richmond Region with the world.


Vision

As a thriving community, the Richmond Region is known for being inclusive and welcoming to all.


About Us

As the Region’s destination organization, we are experts who have a deep love for the community in which we live, work, and play.


We enrich the lives of our residents and visitors by sharing the unique culture and humanity that is the Richmond Region.


We generate economic prosperity through tourism by attracting conventions, meetings, sports tournaments, and visitors and ensuring that all have an unforgettable experience.


We enhance the quality of life for the people in our community by supporting the places that make the Richmond Region wonderful.


We strengthen local programs that drive tourism through our Richmond Region Tourism Foundation.


We do all of this through a lens of diversity, equity and inclusion.


Values

At Richmond Region Tourism, our people are our biggest asset. Our internal cornerstones define our organizational culture and provide a road map for engaging with our community in making the Richmond Region welcoming for all.


  • Passion: Intense enthusiasm for our community and its people
  • Inclusiveness: Deep commitment to equity and community engagement to advance, develop and sustain the Region
  • Integrity: Dynamic culture built upon trust, honesty, and credibility
  • Innovation: Leading-edge work that is rooted in creativity and transformational for the Region
  • Stewardship: Ambassadors of our destination’s development, image and reputation
  • Courage: Doing the right thing and upholding our values

More information: https://www.visitrichmondva.com/partners/about/employment/


Benefits


  • Hybrid Work Life - ability to work a hybrid schedule which is a blend of in the office and remote work, but must reside in the Richmond Region.
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance
  • 401(K) with Company Match
  • Direct Deposit
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Parental Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Jury Duty

  • Paid Parking (downtown Richmond location)

  • Vacation and Sick Time

  • Health Savings Account

  • Flexible Spending Account
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What U.S. Lawns employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


U.S. Lawns logo

About U.S. Lawns

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Construction, facilities support services, environmental consulting services and landscape care and maintenance services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Orlando, FL, US

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