Park City Chamber earns dual accreditations for sustainability and tourism

Summer in Park City, Utah. Photo: Park City Chamber/ Bureau

PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau recently achieved two significant milestones in its commitment to sustainability: renewing its Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) accreditation and securing the Mountain IDEAL Certification for destination stewardship. This comes after the Chamber’s significant rebrand to embody their new message of Mountainkind for the Park City community.

“The Mountain IDEAL certification and Destination Marketing Program accreditation are a testament to our ongoing efforts towards a sustainable future for citizens and visitors,” said Jennifer Wesselhoff, President and CEO of the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau. “We will continue prioritizing quality of life, ensuring that Park City remains a premier destination known for responsible tourism.”

The DMAP accreditation, granted by Destinations International, has been renewed for Park City until 2028. This accreditation recognizes the Chamber’s adherence to strict standards across various areas, including governance, finance, visitor services, sales, communications, destination development, research, and advocacy.  Park City’s accreditation places it in a select group of fewer than 200 tourism organizations worldwide that have achieved this recognition.

“As custodians of their destinations’ brands, participation in DMAP underscores a destination organization’s adherence to rigorous standards,” said Tania Armenta, President & CEO of Visit Albuquerque and chair of the DMAP Board of Directors. “This commitment is a clear signal to stakeholders that the organization managing the destination brand possesses the necessary infrastructure and expertise to beneficially influence the visitor economy for both tourists and local residents.”

The Mountain IDEAL Certification, recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), highlights Park City’s work in sustainable growth, environmental preservation, and community engagement. Park City is now among a small number of destinations, including Vail and Breckenridge in Colorado, that have received this certification.

“Mountain IDEAL certification represents the gold standard for sustainable destinations,” said Bobby Chappell, Program Architect for Mountain IDEAL and Board Member for Green Destinations. “This achievement places Park City among an elite group of destinations to reach this significant milestone. It’s a testament to their dedication to sustainability and responsible tourism management.”

The Chamber also announced the recipients of the 2024 Sustainable Tourism Grants with twenty-two projects being selected for their contributions to the Sustainable Tourism Plan.

“From supporting workforce needs to the development of arts and culture tourism programs, the Sustainable Tourism Grant enables us to invest in initiatives that drive destination stewardship,” said Morgan Mingle, Director of Sustainable Tourism at the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau. “We are excited to witness the latest projects in progress and look forward to their positive impact on the community.”

For more information about the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau and its sustainability initiatives, visit the Park City Chamber website.