Utah Office of Tourism Encourages Residents and Visitors to Stay Safe and Travel Responsibly
SALT LAKE CITY –– The Utah Office of Tourism is calling on travelers to show good stewardship of community safety and public lands during the holiday weekend, and distributing face masks around the state.
Reduced COVID restrictions and the holiday weekend mean state and national parks and other popular recreation sites will see a significant increase in visitation.
Some 500,000 face masks are being distributed to state and national park regions around the state, thanks to collaboration between the Utah Leads Together Economic Recovery Task Force, Economic Development Corporation of Utah, the Utah Office of Tourism and the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation and donations from DPS Skis and other private sector partners such as: Goal Zero, Teton Sports and Gregory Mountain Products.
“Our extraordinary circumstances require us to show extraordinary responsibility as we begin to travel again,” said Vicki Varela, managing director of the Office of Tourism. “Good stewardship of the land is foundational to responsible travel. As COVID restrictions change, we must be mindful of behaviors to also protect community safety.”
Moab received 85,000 masks to be distributed to businesses, residents and visitors. The Utah Division of Parks and Recreation is distributing 150,000 masks. Masks are also being expedited to other popular destinations, including 100,000 to Zion and 50,000 to Bryce national park regions.
“We hope these efforts help lead to thoughtful consumer behaviors, as well as responsible recreation as visitors return to the beautiful Moab area,” said Alex Adema, DPS Skis President and CEO.
While outdoor recreation is vital to the health and wellness of Utahns, the Utah Office of Tourism encourages residents to show good stewardship of our public lands as well as our physical safety.
Safe, responsible travel tips in Utah:
- Prepare for your trip with adequate water, sun protection, clothing and gear
- Pack your own mask or face covering for use in town and other indoor locations
- Arrive at popular recreation sites early in the morning and visit hidden gems as part of your trip
- Maintain safe social distancing and wear masks when indoors or within six feet of others
- Respect the restrictions in state and national parks intended for public safety and protection of our environment
- When possible, support small businesses such as restaurants, hotels, guides and local retailers
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About the Utah Office of Tourism:
The Utah Office of Tourism's (UOT) mission is to elevate life in Utah through responsible tourism stewardship. We do this through marketing, stewardship and development. Marketing: UOT curates messaging that inspires visitation, supports local businesses and builds the Utah economy. Stewardship: UOT manages visitation statewide and supports the responsible discovery of Utah. Development: UOT partners with local communities to enhance and develop their visitor economies to benefit residents and visitors. Learn more at visitutah.com and travel.utah.gov
