Park City — At a joint meeting of the Summit County Council and the Park City Council, a long-awaited Sustainable Tourism Plan for Summit County was adopted. The plan was introduced by the Park City Chamber of Commerce | Convention and Visitors Bureau, which took steps to develop a roadmap that would prioritize sustainable tourism. Initiatives addressed in the plan include preserving natural resources and supporting our local community amid the influx of visitors. The renewed vision for the future of Park City and Summit County’s tourism industry strikes a balance between protecting the environment and quality of life for residents, while promoting a thriving economy.
“The Chamber worked hand-in-hand with the Stewardship Council to devise a strategy that would allow our local economy to reap the benefits of a thriving tourism industry while protecting the foundations of our communities,” says Betsy Wallace, who served as chair of the board. of the Chamber and the Visitors Bureau as the plan was developed. “The 22-member Stewardship Council represented the voices of local residents, small business owners, arts and environmental groups, major ski resorts and capital stakeholders, ensuring the plan captured genuine needs and concerns. of local residents. We are very grateful to those who provided helpful information and guidance for Park City and Summit County’s renewed vision for tourism. We are delighted to share this plan with the public.”
The Sustainable Tourism Plan specifies actions related to:
- Implement sustainable transport, housing, water, energy and waste policies
- Promote the responsible use and management of our trails and natural recreation areas
- Promotion of tourism focused on arts and culture
- Encourage visitors to participate in the Sustainable Tourism plan to enforce its success
- Revitalize the Green Business Certification program
- Discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives related to the workforce, housing, and transportation.
Additionally, the Park City Chamber and Visitors Bureau welcomed a new member to its team who will help manage the organization’s new initiatives. Morgan Mingle is the Chamber and Visitors Bureau’s first Director of Sustainable Tourism, a newly created position to provide leadership in addressing and facilitating the Sustainable Tourism Plan.
“As Director of Sustainable Tourism, my top priority is to ensure that visitors and community members alike understand the purpose and goals of our new sustainability plan,” says Mingle. “I am thrilled to be part of the Chamber team as the organization launches a new vision that will ultimately allow our beautiful nature, friendly people and strong visitor economy to thrive well into the future.”
In honor of its new initiatives, Summit County has joined the World Council for Sustainable Tourism. To further their commitment, the Park City Chamber and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors signed the Glasgow Declaration, a coordinated plan to accelerate climate action in tourism and align climate action among tourism stakeholders, including travel agencies. governmental and institutional, donors and financial institutions, international organizations. , civil society, the private sector and academia. Signatories to the Glasgow Declaration commit to putting forward plans to cut tourism emissions in half over the next decade and reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050.
For more information on Park City and Summit County’s sustainable tourism planning process or to view documents, visit visitparkcity.com/sustainabletourismplan. Morgan Mingle, Director of Sustainable Tourism, is also available to answer additional questions or comments at [email protected].
For additional information about the Park City Chamber and Visitors Bureau, visit visitparkcity.com.
About the Park City Chamber of Commerce | Convention and Visitors Bureau
Park City Chamber of Commerce | The Convention and Visitors Bureau represents nearly 1,000 businesses in Summit County. Founded in 1963 to promote local ski resorts, today the Park City Chamber and Visitors Bureau is charged with promoting the health and wellness of the local community. From maintaining economic stability and addressing environmental concerns to developing sustainable tourism plans and preserving cultural heritage, the organization prides itself on being in the community for the community. For more information, visit visitparkcity.com.