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
Public Relations Manager – Richmond Region Tourism
Richmond Region Tourism is hiring a Public Relations Manager to lead media relations, host travel writers and content creators, produce standout content, and elevate our destination’s profile regionally, nationally, and internationally. This role is perfect for a high-energy, highly organized communicator who loves building relationships, juggling multiple projects, planning action-packed weekends, and exploring every hot spot and hidden gem in the area. Hiring range is $60,000-65,000.
Marketing Coordinator – Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission
The Marketing Coordinator supports the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission’s mission by managing day-to-day marketing activities, special events, and grants. This role is responsible for keeping tourism information accurate and engaging across platforms, creating content that promotes the Eastern Shore of Virginia brand, motivating travelers to book trips to the region, and assisting with communications, events, and partnerships. The Tourism Commission is seeking applicants who are dynamic and energetic with marketing and communication skills to promote our region, build our advertising and tourism programs, and enhance the visitor experience. The ideal candidate is highly motivated, personable, and articulate with excellent communication, computer, and writing skills.
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
Vice President of Sales & Marketing – Crestline Hotels & Resorts
Crestline Hotels & Resorts is seeking an accomplished Sales & Marketing Leader to guide the company’s next phase of growth. With a robust and well-positioned portfolio, Crestline is poised for continued expansion. This executive will be responsible for driving all group and negotiated segment initiatives, establishing strategic growth priorities, and developing comprehensive plans to strengthen both new and existing business. Additionally, this leader will oversee and support regional sales teams across the Crestline portfolio, ensuring alignment, performance, and excellence in execution. This is a remote-based position and will require 40-50% travel.
General Manager – Delta Hotels by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront Suites
Crestline Hotels & Resorts is seeking an experienced Hotel General Manager to manage the exceptional Delta Hotels by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront Suites. As General Manager of Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront, you’ll drive performance at a premier coastal destination—aligning owner priorities, activating a high-performing team, and delivering unforgettable guest experiences from sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay to sunset on our private beach. Managed by Crescent Hotels and Resorts and part of the Marriott family, our associates are offered industry-leading competitive wages, a full range of benefits as well as access to associate rate discounts at Marriott properties across the globe.
Conference Planning Manager – Hotel 24 South and Conference Center
Hotel 24 South and Conference Center, a premier destination in the heart of historic downtown Staunton, is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented conference planning manager to join our hospitality team. This position is responsible for discussing and coordinating all details of the selected conference with the client and communicates this information through respective hotel department heads after the sales contract has been signed.
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.
Director of Sales (Spotsylvania, VA) – Kalahari Resorts
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is seeking a Director of Sales. In this role, you will be a sales leader who thrives on driving revenue, closing business, and leading a high-performing team. You’ll own a territory and verticals with clear goals and expectations. You’ll be responsible for generating group business, developing key accounts, and leading the on-site sales team to maximize revenue.
Department of Conservation & Recreation and State Parks
Find open jobs on the DCR jobs page http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/jobs