Haley recognized during Destinations International’s annual convention in late July
Virginia J. Haley, former president of Visit Sarasota County (VSC), “was inducted into Destinations International’s Hall of Fame, the global association for destination professionals’ highest honor,” during the Destinations International’s annual convention in Portland, Oregon, in late July, VSC has announced.
“Since the Hall of Fame Awards were created in 2014, Destinations International has recognized more than 50 pioneers whose contributions have advanced the tourism industry worldwide,” a news release points out. Haley “joins an esteemed group of industry leaders whose work has shaped travel promotion and destination stewardship,” the release adds.
During her 24-year tenure as president of VSC, Haley guided county leaders “through a period of unprecedented growth and national recognition” in regard to tourism, the release continues. “Under her leadership, Sarasota County evolved into one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the United States, while tourism revenues,” the numbers of visitors and destination awareness “reached record levels,” the release adds.
Haley began her career with VSC at a time when the county’s Tourist Development Tax — or, “bed tax” — generated $5.4 million annually; at the end of her tenure, the tax generated $40 million a year, the release points out. The tax is charged on rentals of accommodations for six months or less time. The resulting revenue is used for a variety of purposes as outlined in a Sarasota County ordinance.
Haley retired in September 2023, the release notes.
“There are few people who leave a mark on an industry the way Virginia has in tourism and, by extension, our destination,” said Erin Duggan, president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, in the release. “On a personal level, I have learned from her as both a leader and a mentor, and I know I’m far from alone in that experience,” Duggan continued. “Her impact extends beyond the years she served as president and this honor is well earned.”
Among her numerous accomplishments, the release notes, “Haley helped launch innovative tourism initiatives, strengthened Sarasota County’s cultural and sports tourism assets, and played a pivotal role in community-transforming projects such as The Bay.” Haley also was “a prominent figure in the tourism industry on a state and national level,” spearheading VSC’s effort to earn international accreditation and, subsequently, chairing Destination International’s global Destination Management Accreditation Program (DMAP) for destination marketing organizations, the release points out.
Additionally, it says, she chaired Destinations Florida and the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors.
The three other 2026 Hall of Fame honorees were Jack Berry, former president & CEO of Visit Richmond VA; Tracy Kimberlin, former president & CEO of Visit Springfield; and Ernest Wooden Jr., former president & CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, the release notes.
To learn more about Destination International’s Hall of Fame, visit https://destinationsinternational.org/hall-fame.