# 2022 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Study on Destination Organizations

**Publisher:** Destinations International  
**Published:** n/a  
**Category:** Destinations, NTOs & DMOs  
**Type:** Study  
**Access:** Free PDF  
**Official source:** http://destinationsinternational.org/reports/2022-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-study-destination-organizations  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/2022-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-study-on-destination-organizations

## At a glance
- Survey of 491 destination organization staff collected October 2021 measuring demographics and EDI perceptions across member organizations.
- Destinations International prioritized EDI as strategic goal since 2017, establishing long-term commitment to equity principles across tourism sector.
- Study examined age, gender, title, racial ethnicity, sexual identity, religion, ability and military veteran status within respondent populations.
- Over 20 EDI statements developed to measure how destination organizations and staff embrace equity, diversity and inclusion practices.

## What the report covers
Destinations International conducted a baseline survey of its membership in autumn 2021 to document workforce demographics and attitudes toward equity, diversity and inclusion. The 491-respondent study captures data on personal characteristics including age, gender, ethnicity, sexual identity, religion, disability status and veteran service. The organization has pursued EDI as a strategic priority since 2017, positioning this survey as evidence of its commitment to sector-wide transformation.

## Key findings
The survey collected demographic data from 491 destination organization staff across Destinations International's membership in October 2021. According to the report, respondents provided information on age, gender, job title, racial ethnicity, sexual identity, religion, ability status and military veteran background. This baseline snapshot was designed to establish workforce composition within member organizations at a specific point in time.

Beyond demographics, the study measured perceptions and practices related to equity, diversity and inclusion through over 20 statements. The report indicates these statements assessed how destination organizations and their staff embrace EDI principles in operations and culture. The assessment tool provided quantitative measures of organisational commitment to these strategic priorities.

Destinations International framed this study as part of a long-term strategy initiated in 2017, when the association elevated EDI to strategic goal status. According to the report, this commitment reflects board leadership, foundation support and an EDI Committee driving institutional change. The study documents progress and maintains accountability for the sector's broader transformation efforts around equity principles.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Survey respondents | 491 | Destination organization staff surveyed October 2021 |
| EDI statements measured | Over 20 | Developed to assess organisational embrace of equity, diversity and inclusion |
| Year EDI became strategic goal | 2017 | Destinations International commitment date |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — This study provides baseline data enabling destination organizations to benchmark their EDI performance against peer benchmarks. The survey establishes demographic composition and cultural perceptions across the sector, supporting strategic planning and accountability for equity initiatives. Results help DMOs identify gaps and align operations with industry-wide EDI standards and best practices.

**Hotels & hospitality** — Hospitality operators partnering with DMOs benefit from understanding destination-level EDI commitments and practices. The study signals sector-wide prioritization of equity principles, informing hiring, supplier relationships and community engagement strategies. Hotels can align diversity initiatives with destination partners' frameworks, strengthening collaborative community impact efforts.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Travel technology and distribution platforms can reference destination sector EDI priorities when designing inclusive marketing tools and booking systems. The study validates demand for equity-focused metrics and reporting platforms within tourism. Tech providers supporting DMOs can develop products addressing EDI measurement, benchmarking and transparency requirements demonstrated by this research.

## Methodology and limits
The survey collected data from 491 respondents within Destinations International's membership during October 2021. Respondents provided demographic information across eight characteristics: age, gender, title, racial ethnicity, sexual identity, religion, ability and military veteran status. The study also measured responses to over 20 statements assessing organizational and staff attitudes toward equity, diversity and inclusion. This brief is based on the publicly available summary; the full report PDF contains detailed findings and analysis.

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© Destinations International for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: http://destinationsinternational.org/reports/2022-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-study-destination-organizations