The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced the appointment of Svetlana Yazovskikh to the position of executive director of tourism. Yazovskikh has been with PHLCVB for nine years; her most recent position was the senior international tourism manager.
“I am extremely pleased that Svetlana has accepted our offer to lead the PHLCVB’s tourism team,” says Julie Coker Graham, president and CEO, PHLCVB. “Her commitment to Philadelphia and our customers is unmatched.”
Yazovskikh began her tenure at the PHCLVB as the international tourism manager, where she was in charge of sales and marketing initiatives for the organization’s many markets. She has been a major factor of the growing overseas visitation to the city.
“I’m honored to be assuming this position at such an exciting time for our city,” says Yazovkikh. “Philadelphia has hosted two global events—a Papal visit and the DNC—that drew media form all around the world.”
On top of overseeing the tourism team, Yazovkikh will be in charge of the activity of seven representation offices: China, Denmark, India, Italy, France, Germany and the UK. She is also in charge of the PHLCVB’s strategic partnerships with Brand USA, Expedia and ESPN International.
Philadelphia welcomed more than 638,300 overseas visitors in 2015, which generated $982 million within the region. Yazovkikh graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in strategic and organizational communication, public relations. She is also an American Bus Association certified Travel Industry Specialist.
