Kiara Davis
- Kiara Davis
- Tourism and Community Affairs Manager
- kiarad@visitatlanticcity.com
- VISITATLANTICCITY.COM
LGT: You’ve been connected to Atlantic City since 2009, first working in special events for the city and now with Visit Atlantic City. How has that long connection to the destination shaped the way you tell Atlantic City’s story to group travel planners?
I think my connection to Atlantic City gives me a perspective that you can’t really learn from a brochure or a tourism report. I’ve watched the city change, I’ve worked in different areas of it, and most importantly, I’ve experienced it as a lifelong resident. So, when I talk to group travel planners, I’m not just selling a destination. I’m sharing a place that I genuinely know and love.
I want planners to see beyond the Boardwalk and the casinos, even though those are obviously a big part of what makes Atlantic City unique. There’s so much more to our story: our history, our neighborhoods, our food, our arts and culture, our people, and the experiences that you can only have here. I think my job is to help planners understand that there’s a real story behind the destination and give them the tools to create an experience for their groups that feels authentic to Atlantic City.
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LGT: You joined the Atlantic City CVB in 2023 as a Group Tour and Travel Coordinator and have since taken on the additional role of Community Affairs Manager. What have you learned about stepping up, taking on new challenges, and building your voice as a young woman in the tourism industry?
I’ve learned that sometimes you have to be willing to raise your hand before you feel completely ready. My role has grown a lot since I joined Visit AC, and with every new responsibility I’ve had to learn, adapt, and trust myself a little more.
I’ve also learned the importance of having a voice and not being afraid to use it. As a young woman in this industry, there are definitely moments where you can question whether you belong at the table or whether your ideas carry enough weight. I’ve had to remind myself that my perspective is valuable, especially because I bring a combination of tourism experience and a genuine connection to the community.
For me, stepping up has also meant understanding that tourism and community are not separate. The work we do to bring visitors here should ultimately connect back to the people who live here. That’s a big part of why I’ve embraced the community affairs side of my role. I’m still growing and figuring things out, but I’m proud of the voice I’m building and the space I’m creating for myself.
LGT: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for the group travel industry in the next few years, and what excites you most about being part of that future?
I think there’s a huge opportunity to move beyond the traditional idea of what a group trip looks like. People are looking for experiences now. They want to eat somewhere local, hear a story, meet people, explore a neighborhood, and feel connected to the place they’re visiting.
That’s especially exciting for a destination like Atlantic City because we have so many layers to our story. We have the iconic experiences that people already know, but we also have so many opportunities to introduce groups to the people, businesses, history, arts, and culture that make the city what it is.
I’m excited to be part of that because I think group travel can play a really important role in telling a more complete story about Atlantic City. And honestly, I love being able to introduce people to my hometown and watch them discover something they didn’t expect. That never gets old.
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