Destination Management and Sustainability Strategist

The Destination Development and Sustainability Strategist leads the strategic planning and implementation of sustainable tourism and destination development initiatives for Visit Durango’s Destination Management sub-division. This role supports the evolution of the destination as a vibrant, attractive destination by advancing high-quality tourism infrastructure, socially inclusive experiences, and sustainable practices that prioritize environmental, social, and economic well-being for the entire region. This role also operates in collaboration with the City of Durango Sustainability Department on specific tourism-city sustainability partnership projects and initiatives.

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Environmental Stewardship and Social Responsibility
  • Develop and manage sustainable tourism and destination management programs that align with regional, state, and national tourism industry best practices, serving the diverse communities and ecosystems of the destination.
  • Collaborate with the City of Durango Sustainability department, and other city departments and external partners to advance sustainable practices in infrastructure, resource conservation, and ecological preservation destination-wide. 
  • Track and report on key performance indicators related to environmental sustainable tourism for continuous improvement and adaptation. 
  • Develop and implement initiatives that promote social sustainability, including accessible travel and inclusive travel programs to ensure tourism benefits all community members and respects diverse cultural perspectives. 
  • Collaborate with community partners to monitor the impact of tourism on housing availability and affordability, helping to balance resident needs with visitor demand. 
  • Facilitate resident sentiment on tourism and integrate community feedback into the strategic planning processes, ensuring that tourism development aligns with local values and enhances quality of life for Durango residents. 
  • Collaborate with Marketing and Sales Departments on daily coordination and annual planning for sustainability-focused B2C and B2B campaigns and programs. 
  • Manage sustainability & destination management certification processes & memberships. 
• Strategic Planning in Destination Development
  • Engage in long-term destination planning that incorporates social, environmental, and economic priorities to create an inclusive and sustainable tourism model for the destination.
  • Assess the social impact of proposed tourism-related developments, including their effects on housing, community resources, and local culture. Incorporate resident input and feedback to ensure that developments align with community interests and values. 
  • Engage in destination development and visitor experience planning to enhance the destination’s appeal for visitors while managing growth responsibly.  
  • Conduct monitoring of the social, economic, and environmental impacts of tourism development projects across the destination, ensuring a balanced approach that supports community and visitor needs. 
• Policy Development and Advocacy
  • Advise on policy recommendations that promote sustainable growth, protect local resources, and integrate Indigenous perspectives.
  • Work closely with city departments and leadership to incorporate sustainability into tourism policy efforts which enhance the destination standing as a responsible destination. 
  • Stay informed on federal and state legislation impacting the travel industry, adapting city policies as needed. 
• Community and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Conduct economic analyses related to tourism, including studies on the economic multiplier effect, leakage, and the overall impact of tourism on the county’s economy.
  • Collaborate with economic development teams to balance tourism’s economic benefits with long-term regional needs, applying insights from case studies and economic data.  
  • Lead public engagement efforts to gather diverse perspectives from residents, businesses, and marginalized communities, with a focus on incorporating local voices into tourism planning and decision-making. 
  • Develop and implement inclusive and accessible travel focused initiatives, ensuring that tourism practices and marketing are inclusive and respectful of all community members. Examples include promoting local minority-owned businesses and creating accessible visitor resources. 
  • Support opportunities to increase resident awareness of tourism’s economic and cultural impacts, fostering an informed and supportive community. 
• Economic Viability and Destination Management 
  • Design and implement strategies that support economic sustainability through tourism, including capacity-building initiatives for local businesses and resource-efficient infrastructure across La Plata County.
  • Analyze trends to create actionable insights that support sustainable growth and adaptation in La Plata County’s tourism sector.
• Program and Project Management
  • Oversee the execution of destination management projects, including the allocation of resources and alignment with strategic goals for the entire county.
  • Develop project scopes and goals, monitor progress, and ensure tourism outcomes meet sustainable quality standards and deadlines.
  • Identify, apply for, and manage grants to support destination management projects, providing transparent reporting on fund usage and project outcomes. 

• Serve as a representative of the Prosperity Office, communicating regularly with city and La Plata County staff, community members, and tourism partners.
• Maintain a proactive approach in providing quality assistance to individuals seeking guidance on sustainability and tourism practices. 
• Ensure clear, inclusive communication that addresses diverse viewpoints and respects cultural sensitivities. 
• Uphold the City's mission, vision, and values in all daily tasks and interactions, ensuring our commitment to excellence is reflected in the work you do for the community. 

• Destination management and sustainable tourism practices, with an emphasis on social, environmental, and economic pillars.
• Best practices in stakeholder engagement and inclusive tourism marketing. 
• Strategic planning tools for managing tourism impact and promoting long-term environmental stewardship. 

• Strategic thinking and systems analysis for planning complex, cross-functional projects.
• Effective communication, advocacy, and relationship-building with government entities, local communities, and private sector stakeholders. 
• Data tracking, analysis, and reporting to evaluate and enhance program outcomes. 

• Integrate social, environmental, and economic perspectives into all facets of destination development.
• Foster a culture of sustainability and inclusion through policy development, community engagement, and education. 
• Adapt to emerging trends, regulatory changes, and community needs within the tourism industry. 

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. Will spend a large amount of time viewing a computer screen.
• Vocal communication and normal hearing are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others via the phone, at meetings and to greet and assist visitors.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Frequent use of phone handset and repetitive use of hand & fingers to operate office equipment, use computer keyboard & computer mouse and to perform other office tasks.
• Ability to recognize occupational hazards in work activities and take safety precautions.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and following directions.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Belong at the City of Durango:  
We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences.  

The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factor