The Roles and Functions of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) in the Success and Performance of Tourism Destinations

The Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) lead and coordinate the management activities in many tourism destinations and play the role of strategic leaders in their development. They are responsible for coordinating and integrating the elements of the destination mix. An effective leadership and coordination through the DMO, within a coherent strategy, ensures the performance, competitiveness, sustainability and success of a tourism destination. The DMOs ensure the success of a tourism destination when they perform a range of roles in the marketing and development of the destination, develop and manage partnerships between the tourism industry and public departments and agencies, and carry out leadership, planning, organization and performance management functions of tourism activities in a destination. As far as the Romanian tourism is concerned, an integrated planning, along with a practical application of the destination management concept and a real collaboration of central and regional public authorities with the private sector organizations represent the priority actions that can ensure a sustainable growth and an improvement of competitiveness on the international tourism market.