JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board (TTB) recently released the Jackson Hole Sustainable Destination Management Plan (SDMP), aimed at answering “how travel and tourism can contribute to the health and well-being of the community and environment without degrading it.”
The 75-page report outlines the current situation, the proposed strategy, an action plan and a governance and implementation plan.
The Jackson Town Council and Teton County Board of County Commissioners will meet today, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. for a joint information meeting (JIM) in which they will be briefed on the SDMP, amongst other items. The Travel and Tourism Board has also created the Destination Stewardship Council (DSC), an advisory board for the implementation of the SDMP, and has invited the Town and County to be members.
According to the staff report, during the meeting TTB members and staff will be on hand to answer questions. The Town and County will decide to accept the invitation to the DSC during a future meeting and if so, appoint a representative(s).
According to the SDMP findings, travel and tourism is responsible for more than 50% of Jackson Hole’s economic activity.
The plan outlines eight goals from marketing and communications strategy to supporting the expansion of public transport to the airport and national parks.
The goals that are outlined include advocating for workforce housing, incentivizing businesses to create year around employee housing, reducing carbon emissions and climate impacts, supporting the tourism workforce and establishing a community-defined threshold for change.
An implementation schedule is also included in the report and depicts a phased approach, over five years with timelines varying for each goal.
According to the TTB, 4,777 residents completed the “Resident Sentiment Towards Tourism” survey last spring, which they cite as a similar response rate compared to voter turnout on election day in 2022. Eleven percent of these respondents said they own a local business and 40% of respondents who said they work in Teton County said they work in the tourism industry.
During the JIM the Town Council and County Commissioners will also hear a presentation from Steve Ashworth, Director of Jackson/Teton County Parks and Recreation Department about the 2024/2025 draft fee.
