Visit Florida Keys Earns Highest DMAP Honor from Destinations International

KEY WEST, Fla. (June 9, 2026) — Visit Florida Keys & Key West, the official destination marketing organization for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC), has earned Accreditation with Distinction from Destinations International, the highest recognition awarded through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). The designation places the organization among fewer than 10% of accredited destinations worldwide.  

DMAP accreditation recognizes a destination organization’s commitment to industry excellence and its adherence to global standards for performance and accountability. “Accreditation with Distinction” signals that an organization exceeded the minimum requirements and that the independent DMAP Board found no opportunities for improvement in its responses to the required standards.  

"On behalf of the Monroe County TDC Board, we are thrilled for Kara Franker and her team. We set DMAP accreditation as a primary goal because we knew they were capable, and they delivered Accreditation with Distinction, a mark few destinations reach,” said Diane Schmidt, TDC Board Chair. “It is a proud moment for the entire Florida Keys."  

To earn accreditation, a destination organization must comply with rigorous mandatory and voluntary standards spanning governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research. Visit Florida Keys is among nearly 200 organizations that have earned DMAP recognition.  

Accreditation with Distinction sets a higher bar. An organization must meet more than 100 standards with none marked “compliant with opportunity for improvement,” document evidence of compliance for each, earn at least one “compliant exemplary” mark and satisfy at least 10 of 20 aspirational standards.  

"This recognition belongs to our team. They set an exceptionally high bar for themselves, worked in record time and delivered, and the result is a designation only a handful of destinations worldwide can claim, said Kara Franker, president and CEO of the organization.  

“We are pleased to have Visit Florida Keys & Key West in our distinguished group of accredited organizations,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “The industry distinction defines quality and performance standards for destination organizations, and they are a valued member of the DMAP community.”  

For more information visit: www.visitfloridakeys.com.   

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