VIRGINIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY
Virginia’s Tourism Industry is a network of statewide businesses and tourism offices located in all urban and rural areas, including state and federal parks, private property and public areas⎯ from coastal bays and beaches to main street communities, farm country, mountains, rivers, lakes and beaches ⎯ each a KEY partner creating visitor tourism experiences.
Virginia travelers are ⎯ multi-generational families, couples, friends, groups including businesses, corporations, associations and sporting events ⎯ Domestic and International.
This includes all levels of lodging, dining, retail, attractions, parks, arenas and outdoor areas.
DMO ⏐ Destination Marketing / Management Organization
⦾ Local Tourism Offices are called Destination Marketing /or/ Management Organizations or DMOs
⦾ Local governments fund and staff Economic Development & Tourism offices to create strategic plans, marketing plans, events and offer business resources to support the local economy and businesses by welcoming visitors of all types to stay, enjoy, return and tell others to visit
⦾ Some localities form a Chamber of Commerce, who directs tourism for the locality
⦾ Others form regional Tourism Associations to leverage their marketing and spending power
⦿ Find Virginia’s statewide tourism DMOs visit > VA Tourism Industry Contacts
⦿ Visit this link to reach VADMO (statewide DMO association)
⦿ Visit this link to reach the Virginia Main Street program
* statewide mainstreet tourism development & marketing
TOURISM CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
⦾ Many DMOs hire marketing and advertising firms to use state-of-the art research to create their brand, create marketing campaigns and review the results, answering questions such as:
⎯ How much marketing budget do we spend to reach our goal?
⎯ To attract repeat or new visitors from different areas, with different interests and travel budgets?
⎯ Have we researched our out-of-state competition similar to us, to gain insight and perspective
⎯ Did more visitors come because of our ads and social media campaign?
⎯ Are more people aware of our local destination’s brand?
⎯ Where and how should we spend are budget, targeting which visitors?
⎯ What research do we use to find the answers to ALL our questions?
⦾ Careers in tourism individual businesses, local governments, DMOs and creative agencies
⦾ Partnerships are crucial in tourism, and many DMOs, form strong relationships with local leaders, Chambers of Commerce (VACCE), Planning District Commissions (VAPDC), and local banks, city councils and county boards
⦿ Find job opportunities with Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) visit > VTC Employment Page
⦿ Check Virginia Workforce Connection, Virginia’s one-stop electronic workforce system
⦿ HCareers is for tourism industry & hospitality job and career seekers
⦿ Virginia Restaurant Lodging Travel Association (VRLTA) Job Board for hospitality jobs
VIEW OTHER CAREER OPPORTUNITIES BELOW
Guest Services Manager – Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center
This position is responsible for the development and implementation of guest services across the facility with a focus on the front reception area and activity amenity areas. This leader will focus on providing exceptional customer service and hospitality to all guests throughout the facility, while also supervising other employees in both our Guest Services and Adventure Gym Departments. This individual understands that they have the ability to impact the guest experience including support to other team members with enforcement of facility rules and regulations, maintaining order, and ensuring safety to all facility guests. The role requires a dynamic and energetic personality, personal drive, determination, and hard work in a fun, fast-paced environment.
Conference Services Manager – Colonial Williamsburg
The Conference Services Manager is responsible for the planning and execution of group meetings and events from turnover through on-site delivery. This role serves as the primary operational liaison for assigned groups, ensuring meeting space, food and beverage, guest room blocks, and event details are executed accurately and in accordance with contracted expectations. Working closely with Sales, Banquets, Culinary, and Hotel Operations, the Conference Services Manager plays a key role in delivering exceptional guest experiences, protecting group revenue, and supporting repeat business on the property.
Conference Sales-Services Coordinator – Colonial Williamsburg
The Conference Sales Services Coordinator provides administrative support to the Conference Services department. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Outlook calendar maintenance, copying, filing, faxing, answering telephones, preparing contracts, checking requests, completing expense reports, writing letters, memos, presentations, proposals, quotes, travel arrangements/itineraries and other miscellaneous correspondence and reports. Provide administrative support to 2-3 managers and coverage for other Conference Coordinators as required due to staffing levels. Perform other administrative duties as assigned.
Digital Content Researcher & Producer – Colonial Williamsburg
The Digital Content Researcher & Producer serves as historian, researcher, content creator, and producer for digital media projects that advance Colonial Williamsburg’s educational mission, strategic plan, and interpretive approach. This role is responsible for producing and maintaining high-quality, historically accurate digital content across various platforms, including the Foundation’s website and digital media productions. The Digital Content Researcher & Producer collaborates closely with colleagues across the Division and the Foundation to ensure the highest standards of historical accuracy, production quality, and public engagement. This is a full-time, three-year grant-funded position. The role is time-limited and expected to conclude at the end of the grant term unless additional funding is secured.
President & CEO – Southeast Tourism Society (Remote)
The Southeast Tourism Society is seeking a transparent, dynamic, and empowering leader to serve as the new President & CEO. Serve as the chief ambassador and leader of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS), representing 13 Southeastern states. The President & CEO will strengthen and expand relationships with state tourism leaders, industry partners, and STS alumni while working in partnership with the Board of Directors to advance the mission and growth of this long-standing, member-driven organization based in Atlanta, GA.
Event Services Manager – Tides Inn
The Event Services Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning, and execution of all events sold by the sales team, including corporate meetings, weddings, and social gatherings. You will ensure each function is executed with precision and excellence. The ideal candidate will build strong client relationships, deliver seamless event coordination, and drive revenue growth for the resort. This highly collaborative position bridges sales strategy and hands-on event management, requiring exceptional attention to detail, creativity, and strong time management and organizational skills.
Banquet Manager – Tides Inn
The Banquet Manager is responsible for overseeing all banquet operations, ensuring the seamless execution of meetings, weddings, and special events. This role leads the banquet team in delivering exceptional service, maintaining resort standards, and collaborating closely with the Culinary, Conference Services, and Sales departments to ensure each event exceeds guest expectations and achieves financial goals.
Tourism Program Manager – Stafford County
Performs difficult skilled clerical, technical, and administrative tasks related to the department’s Tourism program. Manages, develops, and executes the department’s Tourism marketing plan, strategic plan, and oversees the content creation for the department’s Tourism website, social media, and collateral sites related to tourism. Work is performed under general supervision. Supervision is exercised over personnel. Hiring range is $94,868.80 – $166,025.60.
Director of Rooms (Resort) – Kalahari Resorts
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is seeking a Director of Rooms. In this role, you will oversee operation of the Front Office, Housekeeping, and Security. You’ll work closely with the General Manager (and or AGM) on special projects and assignments, be responsible for the management, evaluation, and performance of all Rooms Division functions, including Front Office, Housekeeping, Common Area, Laundry, Concierge, PBX and Bell Staff/Shuttle/Valet Service.
Tourism Program Manager – Stafford County
Stafford County is hiring a tourism program manager. This position performs difficult skilled clerical, technical, and administrative tasks related to the department’s Tourism program. Manages, develops, and executes the department’s Tourism marketing plan, strategic plan, and oversees the content creation for the department’s Tourism website, social media, and collateral sites related to tourism. Work is performed under general supervision. Supervision is exercised over personnel. Hiring range is $94,868-130,457 based on experience.
Apply here
Sales Manager OEM/HM – Newport News Marriott at City Center
Crestline Hotels & Resorts is hiring a sales manager for the Newport News Marriott at City Center. The ultimate mission of this role will be to solicit, sell, and contract rooms for the assigned markets in coordination with transient demand patterns and existing group business to maximize hotel rooms and related revenues. To accomplish this the Sales Manager will be responsible for maintaining and growing relationships with existing accounts and soliciting new group sales accounts.
Department of Conservation & Recreation and State Parks
Find open jobs on the DCR jobs page http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/jobs