The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board recently unveiled a significant milestone in their journey towards sustainability with the launch of the Sustainable Destination Management Plan (SDMP) Progress Tracker. This online tool is designed to showcase the achievements made in the first year of implementing the SDMP across eight critical areas of sustainability in the Jackson Hole community.
Following the plan’s adoption in January 2023, the formation of the Destination Stewardship Council (DSC) in February 2023 marked the beginning of concerted efforts to put the SDMP into action. The DSC, a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders from public land managers to local businesses and the wider public, has since focused on enhancing the community benefits of tourism while tackling industry challenges.
Key accomplishments over the past year include the development of a mobility hub to improve transportation for residents, visitors, and commuters alike, in partnership with the Teton County Regional Transportation Planning Department. Additionally, a partnership with the University of Wyoming’s WORTH Initiative has led to the creation of a public dashboard to monitor and measure tourism’s impact through data collection.
Other notable efforts include conducting comprehensive visitor and resident surveys to gauge tourism sentiment, laying the groundwork for a long-term tourism management organization, and establishing collaborative working groups. These groups address visitor management challenges, contributing to efforts in housing and climate action, ensuring tourism’s integration into broader community solutions.
The SDMP Progress Tracker itself is a transparent, visual representation of the plan’s goals and the status of various action items, from those completed to those in progress or pending initiation. It serves as a platform for the community to engage with and understand the ongoing efforts toward sustainable tourism management.
As Jackson Hole continues to lead in sustainable tourism practices, the Travel & Tourism Board’s investment in the SDMP and DSC underscores their commitment to responsible management and a sustainable future for the destination. With seven priority actions completed and an additional fourteen underway, the progress tracker not only celebrates the achievements to date but also highlights the continuous path toward sustainability.
Executive Director Crista Valentino emphasized the importance of recognizing the DSC’s milestones and contributions, acknowledging the significant work accomplished through collaborative efforts. The progress tracker, by detailing these efforts and their impacts, plays a vital role in informing and engaging the community and stakeholders in Jackson Hole’s sustainable tourism journey.
