In September, the Utah Office of Tourism and Film matched $25,000 in local grants 2-to-1 with an award of $50,000 for the campaign.
This spring, the program will use signs and brochures to inform people of places to visit, along with historical context for how those places and the community at large came to be.
Managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film Vicki Varella says it’s working with local voices. The aim is to “distribute visitation beyond congestion points,” and it doesn’t mean to give away all the best-kept secrets.
“The secrets campaign, under the Chamber’s leadership, is intended to provide access and information that the community feels good about sharing information on.”
Some values it’ll promote include “leave no trace” practices. The educational aspects will cover evolution of the community, beginning with the mining history, and promote local arts and culture.
Park City’s grants were part of a $700,000 fund the state office raised to give out in the state in support of a “perpetual tourism economy.” Varella says Park City’s a primary focus of the initiative.
“Your community is really leading us in this sustainable tourism strategy. I think what you’re doing is certainly important for your community, but it also helps to create best practices that inspire other destinations around the state to develop out your visitor economies in really thoughtful ways.”
For the Chamber’s current information on tourism in Park City, go to visitparkcity.com.
