The Colorado Tourism Office seeks to serve as the extended strategy and implementation team for Colorado destination organizations through Destination Blueprint. Program outcomes include increased alignment between local tourism stakeholders and completion of one or more priority tourism projects. Up to 8 destination organizations will be selected to participate.

Destination Blueprint provides an opportunity for destinations across Colorado to join the Colorado Tourism Office in its effort to advance destination stewardship and adopt recommendations identified from the Destination Stewardship Strategic Planning Initiative.

Participating destinations will be paired with a tourism consultant that will serve as their lead point of contact on the implementation of the following activities throughout the duration of the program:

• Destination assessment
  • Background research
  • Core team survey and core team meetings
  • Resident sentiment survey
  • Tourism stakeholder survey
  • Visitor profile study
  • Other opportunities based on need
• Full-day community visioning and action planning workshop
• 100 hours of project-based consulting to advance priority projects

The Colorado Tourism Office will host an informational webinar about Destination Blueprint on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Register here for the webinar. 

Each participating destination will receive an action plan that includes a series of recommendations identified during the workshop. Participating destinations will also work with their assigned tourism consultant to design a scope of work for 100 hours of consulting to advance one or more of the priority recommendations included in the action plan.

Destination Blueprint builds on the lessons learned and results that have been achieved statewide through the Colorado Recovery Assistance For Tourism program and the Colorado Rural Academy For Tourism program. A key finding from this work included the identification of seven shared industry priorities for advancing tourism. Participating destinations are encouraged to focus their program on one or more of these shared industry priorities or advance recommendations identified from the Destination Stewardship Strategic Planning Initiative.

Shared Industry Priorities

• Advance off-peak tourism opportunities 
  • Identify opportunities to extend the benefits of tourism throughout the year and increase demand for tourism outside of existing busy seasons 
• Advance tourism workforce
  • Provide professional development opportunities for tourism-related staff and foster a stronger community of workforce in your destination
• Champion the value of tourism
  • Build awareness of the value that tourism provides to your destination and the role that destination organizations have in enhancing local quality of life
• Develop and enhance visitor experience
  • Diversify tourism offerings that showcase the unique potential of your destination by advancing outdoor recreation, agritourism, cultural tourism, stargazing, etc.
• Encourage responsible and respectful use
  • Inspire visitors to engage in low-impact travel within Colorado, such as launching a Do Colorado Right campaign or advancing climate action strategies
• Foster inclusive travel opportunities 
  • Develop strategies and resources to ensure your destination is welcoming and accessible to everyone 
• Promote local businesses and experiences
  • Enhance promotional efforts through strategic marketing and storytelling tactics 

Type: Program

For: Destination organizations

Application deadline: 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024

OEDIT division: Colorado Tourism Office