DMC 101: What are Destination Management Companies?

A DMC (Destination Management Company) offers a different kind of tourism.

The tourism industry is dependent upon many people to provide various services to ensure a successful event. Within this sector are several segments that specialize in different travelling groups and for different purposes.

Over the years, the constant innovations and the expansion of the Internet and information and communication technologies have encouraged new approaches to generate markets and created new possibilities for service providers within the destination. For the segment of business tourism and groups requiring management of their destinations, including travel and logistics, Destination Management Companies have become essential. These are relatively new industries, evolving over the years as time, mobility, and economic sufficiency increased in the population.

What is a DMC?

A Destination Management Company (DMC) is a locally-based, for-profit tourism business whose function is to provide groups and individuals with services to meet their travel, meeting, and entertainment interests and needs at a specific time and place.

The value of a DMC primarily rests in the company's extensive knowledge of the local area, as well as its professional relationships and local resources. A DMC offers experiences in the country otherwise more connected with the culture and customs for tourists to engage in. It is essentially a highly specialized consultant for practically every aspect of out-of-town event programming.

In addition to providing local expertise, a DMC also acts as one key contact throughout the event planning process. Further, in non-English speaking countries, a DMC may also help to overcome language barriers.

How the DMC  and business travel companies do their jobs is through:

• complete or partial destination services;
• detail-oriented assistance in all facets of programs;
• recommendations and hotel reservations; 
• search sites and attractions;
• planning and management and service for conventions, meetings, and events;
• restaurant recommendations and reservations;
• transport management;
• tours and tourist activities;
• a personalized, individual-oriented array of services for leisure and business travellers, groups, and individuals; and
• other services that help the individual or tour group experience.

A DMC is a different kind of tourism that will fulfil your expectations.

To put it simply, they offer services designed to take the headaches out of your travel and to help you enjoy your vacation, trip, and event to the fullest.

If you are considering getting acquainted with different DMCs for your international leisure and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) travel requirements, visit the World of DMCs, an online network of professional DMCs.