SWT Tourism Skillshop – Visitor Education for Outdoor Recreation

Visitor education for outdoor recreation is the focus of this webinar in the Tourism Skillshop. Many visitors come to Washington state for its natural wonders and outdoor recreation, but they may not be prepared for the time and distance between destinations or the permits and passes required for certain areas. Crowds, trail conditions, and weather can further complicate one’s outdoor experience. Cassidy Giampetro and Joe Gonzalez with the Washington Trails Association will share online tools and content to help visitors select hikes based on their interests and abilities. Tourism stakeholders can also use the WTA assets, along with other resources, expertise, and communications channels, to help set visitor expectations for outdoor recreation. When destination stewards work together and reinforce shared messaging, visitor education becomes more effective, reducing impacts and improving recreational experiences on public lands.