Visit Philadelphia has announced it's appointed Angela Val to serve as its president and CEO, making her the first Black woman ever to run the organization.
Tourism marketing from destinations that continue to prioritize their resident communities are likely to build a more resilient future. If Visit Philadelphia keeps applying that lesson past the pandemic years, it's likely to pay off long term.
Even in 2018, many travel companies still hesitate to engage people of color through marketing. Those companies, which are leaving money on the table, could take a cue from Visit Philadelphia's long-running video series featuring a member of The Roots.
Visit Philadelphia’s new videos target black travelers making at least $75,000 and aim to reclaim some lost market share. But the campaign sends a more nuanced message to a wider audience.
Philadelphia will make the most of its selection by turning attendees' visits into potential for future events, widespread media coverage, and increased affinity among national decision-makers.
Travelers had more or less made up their minds about where they're headed for the upcoming holiday, which may have diverted their attention from destinations' social media channels.