Watch this episode
Listen to this episode
Find us on
Episode description
What does destination sustainability look like year-round? 🏔️
In this episode of Sustainable Today, Successful Tomorrow, Anne sits down with Beth Markham, Environmental Sustainability Manager for the Town of Vail.
They explore how one of the best-known ski destinations in the U.S. is tackling sustainability far beyond the slopes. ⛷️
From tourism pressure and housing challenges to resident engagement and visitor behaviour, Beth shares how Vail is building a long-term strategy that works for both community and environment. 🌿
It’s a story of local leadership, practical solutions, and small shifts that add up.
If you’re curious how destinations can lead with sustainability in every season, this episode is for you. 🎧
Responses
This is yet another interesting episode.
I believe the local storytellers and experience providers hold a powerful card in shaping narratives on how travellers perceive places and shape their expectations.
How can we inspire and accelerate local experience providers in East Africa to look at the bigger picture, given that traveller confidence is leaning towards sustainability and meaningful experiences? As an ex-tour operator, I understand the barriers and beliefs built around outdated models that don’t keep pace with current changing times. There is a tendency to misposition and a competitive approach where they bombard prospective customers with discounts in the DMs instead of nurturing them through education and establishing authority
Thank you for your comment, Everest! You raise a really important point about empowering local experience providers to adopt a more strategic, storytelling approach, especially in regions like East Africa. While this episode is focused on destination-wide efforts in Vail and the role of destination management in making sustainability the default, it’s a great reminder of how valuable education and shaping a certain narrative is.