The Park City Chamber of Commerce is advancing a 10-year Sustainable Tourism Plan designed to balance environmental health, community character, and economic vitality through a series of stewardship objectives. The roadmap, which aligns with international standards, seeks to ensure that tourism supports both the local residents and the mountain community through a shared vision of responsible management.
Global Standards and Local Input
The Sustainable Tourism Plan serves as a long-term roadmap for Park City and Summit County, utilizing a framework that aligns with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This internationally recognized framework provides a basis for responsible, community-centered tourism by reflecting global best practices alongside the specific values of the local mountain community. The plan is built using local input to ensure that tourism efforts support the people who call the region home.
The Mountainkind Ethos
A central element of the region's approach is the Mountainkind ethos, which the Chamber describes as the community's guiding spirit. This ethos emphasizes respect for the land, the local spirit, and land stewardship. According to the Chamber, the mountains influence how residents live, recreate, and care for the area, creating a shared responsibility to protect the region for future generations.
IDEAL Sustainable Destination Recognition
To maintain accountability, Park City has earned recognition as an IDEAL Sustainable Destination. This designation comes through a rigorous and independent process that validates the community's commitment to protecting the environment, supporting the local population, and managing tourism in a responsible manner. This recognition is intended to keep tourism efforts real and accountable as they evolve.
Seven Stewardship Objectives
The Chamber has identified seven specific stewardship objectives to guide its progress. These objectives include fostering local pride and respect, advancing sustainable infrastructure, and protecting natural areas for sustainable recreation. Additionally, the plan aims to build economic resilience, promote equity within the visitor economy, align messaging and programs for sustainable tourism, and strengthen arts and culture tourism.
Economic and Cultural Resilience
The plan's focus on economic and cultural vitality includes specific goals for the region's arts and culture sector. The Chamber noted that arts and culture define Summit County, and the organization aims to grow creativity to fuel a year-round economy. Furthermore, the plan seeks to build economic resilience to ensure the tourism economy can adapt and thrive even during periods of uncertainty.
Data-Driven Progress Tracking
To track the impact of these initiatives, the Chamber utilizes a Sustainable Tourism Data Dashboard. This dashboard tracks key indicators connected to the seven stewardship objectives, providing residents, partners, and visitors with a clear view of how tourism affects the community. By sharing this information openly, the Chamber aims to provide transparency regarding how efforts are progressing over time through various individual initiatives.
Long-Term Vision
The Chamber continues to monitor progress through various initiatives that contribute to the 10-year vision. By combining data-driven tracking with the Mountainkind ethos, the organization aims to manage the intersection of environmental health and economic growth across Park City and Summit County.
