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Description The City of Roanoke is seeking a Tourism Specialist to serve in the Department of Economic Development. The City of Roanoke Tourism Specialist will play a key role in advancing the economic growth and development of the City of Roanoke by promoting its tourism industry. This position involves creating, implementing, and managing tourism strategies to increase visitor traffic, enhance the local tourism experience, and support sustainable tourism practices.

The ideal candidate will build rapport and collaborate with local businesses, regional tourism partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to promote events, programs, and initiatives to attract visitors, drive economic growth, and elevate the community's profile as a premier destination. The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer. To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry.

Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community. This is an exempt position.

Examples of Duties Key Responsibilities include: Tourism Strategy Development: Develop and implement comprehensive tourism strategies aligned with the goals of the Economic Development Office and the City of Roanoke. Identify target markets for marketing and promotional initiatives. Conduct market research to understand tourism trends, customer preferences, and emerging opportunities.

Partnership Building: Foster strong relationships with local businesses, attractions, tourism agencies, and community organizations. Work closely with hotels, restaurants, cultural institutions, event organizers, and transport providers to promote a cohesive and attractive tourism product. Collaborate with regional and national tourism organizations to expand the area's reach.

Engage with Virginia Tourism Corporation for professional education opportunities and statewide tourism initiatives. Engage with Virginia Association of Destination Marketing Organization (VADMO) to strengthen tourism effort and economic impact, professional development, advocacy and networking. Marketing and Promotion: Manage tourism marketing campaigns, including digital marketing, social media outreach, and content creation.

Develop promotional materials, such as brochures, websites, videos, and advertisements to highlight the City of Roanoke's tourism offerings. Collaborate with like organizations to execute tourism events, festivals, and experiences that draw visitors and increase brand recognition. Visitor Experience and Services: Enhance the visitor experience by identifying gaps in services and creating solutions to improve visitor satisfaction.

Develop and maintain visitor information resources to include tourism guides and other informational materials. Economic Impact Analysis: Monitor and evaluate the economic impact of tourism on the local economy, including visitor spending, job creation, and overall economic contributions. Prepare reports and presentations on tourism's contribution to the City of Roanoke's economy for stakeholders and government officials.

Utilize data to adjust strategies and improve performance metrics. Sustainable Tourism Development: Advocate for sustainable tourism practices that minimize environmental impact and support local communities. Promote eco-friendly initiatives, responsible tourism, and initiatives to preserve local culture and heritage.

Typical Qualifications Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Tourism Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field. Master's degree preferred. Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in tourism, economic development, or a related field.

Strong understanding of tourism trends, economic development principles, and community/stakeholder engagement strategies. Skills and Abilities: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively. Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead initiatives from inception to completion.

Proficiency in digital marketing, social media, and content creation. Knowledge of economic impact measurement tools and data analysis. Ability to think creatively and innovatively in promoting the destination.

Familiarity with sustainable tourism practices and community development principles. Other Requirements: Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, when necessary. Ability to travel locally and regionally for business purposes.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and tourism-related software. A passion for travel, tourism, and community development.