Durango Area Tourism Office Welcomes New Executive Director

Patricia O’Brien brings energy, initiative and strategy to local tourism office

Durango, CO – The Durango Area Tourism Office (DATO) welcomes Patricia O’Brien as the Executive Director. Ms. O’Brien brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing, business development and management. Raised in Durango in the tourism and hospitality industry, Patti studied economics at CSU then received her business finance degree at California State University, Long Beach. She spent 12 years as CEO of VersaType, Inc. a digital communications and marketing agency. She has received several top national sales recognition and international leadership awards for her business development and training programs. Prior to DATO, Patti owned, operated and sold a local ladies fitness center, then represented numerous Durango businesses as Regional Account Manager for Ballantine Digital Media and most recently expanded the group sales program at DATO as the Group Sales Manager.

O’Brien enthusiastically welcomes the opportunity to lead the Durango Area Tourism Office as the Executive Director: “I have a passion for Durango and I understand the critical role tourism plays in the prosperity of our community. Our revamped team is eager to build on the current system and implement new programs that will increase the power and efficiency of our marketing efforts and ultimately increase overnight visitation in La Plata County.”

“Travel industry trends demonstrate a global demand for the many authentic experiences our destination offers. This demand creates an emerging market opportunity for Durango and La Plata County,” explains O’Brien. “Experiential tourism is an example of a popular travel trend in both domestic and international markets. Travelers are looking for the hands-on or behind the scenes experiences and we certainly have a wide array to offer.”

O’Brien is eager to engage the community and to work with local businesses and tourism partners. “The foundation for our new Durango Area Tourism Marketing strategy is based on community-wide collaboration, teamwork and information sharing. Our goal is to foster a collaborative community environment that delivers an innovative and unified message resulting in increased domestic and international bookings, extended over-night stays and repeat visitation to our area.”

Join Team Durango! Opt-in to receive monthly business information and opportunities in the “Durango Area Tourism Office Hot Sheet”: http://www.durango.org/info/about-dato/newsletter.aspx. Send questions and comments to: [email protected]. Stop by the Welcome Center at 802 Main Avenue. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visitdurango

The Durango Area Tourism Office is a not for profit organization operating with the mission to promote Durango and La Plata County’s multitude of tourism attractions, events and services. 1-800-GO DURANGO, www.durango.org