Voices of U of U Health
Preserving and Preparing: Getting Utah Ready for the Winter Olympics and Beyond
By Clara Jane (CJ) Blye, PhD
The Winter Olympics are returning to Salt Lake City in 2034. After experiencing the excitement of the 2002 games, Utah is looking forward to hosting the world once again.
Are we ready? When it comes to venues for Olympic events, we’re well-prepared. We also need to think about preparing our wild spaces for an influx of visitors.
The Outdoors: Essential for Utahns, and Utah’s Economy
Utah’s stunning natural beauty and range of outdoor experiences are a big draw for tourists and the Olympics. Our economy is driven by the outdoors, with 10.6 million tourists visiting the state every year to see one of the “Mighty 5” national parks.
Many more come to ski on our slopes, raft or kayak our rivers, and hike and camp in our backcountry and public lands. Tourist recreation brought in about $12 billion to the Utah economy in 2022. This benefits businesses across the state with jobs and tax revenue.
To be clear: That money is not guaranteed for the Utah economy. It is from tourists who come seeking access to beautiful wild places. Healthy, intact ecosystems are vital to our economy. Conservation and preservation are good for nature—and they’re good for business.
Giving Everyone the Chance to Experience the Outdoors
My core memories are shaped by my childhood visits to national parks and wild places in my native Canada. I suspect the same is true for those of us who grew up or visited Utah as children.
These experiences with nature are a vital part of the human experience. Parks and wild spaces can help create a sense of belonging and welcome for everyone who visits. We all deserve to feel that connection, along with enjoying clean water, clear air, and abundant wilderness. Many people come here on vacation seeking just that.
Yet, with Utah’s exploding population, those natural spaces will be a little less wild and a lot more crowded. How do we let everyone experience these wild spaces while still keeping them…wild? How can we ease crowding while encouraging access? How can we open the outdoors to everyone without ruining natural places?
These are the kinds of questions I address as an assistant professor of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah, where my research focuses on sustainable tourism. I believe the answers will come from education, awareness, and proactive management.
With major events like the Olympics attracting people from all over the world, finding those answers is more important than ever.
The Opportunity and Challenge of Hosting the Olympics
The Winter Olympics welcomes people who might not have come to Utah otherwise.
We’re in a unique position to ask: What exactly do we want visitors to experience? Fortunately, we have lots of knowledge in this area, not just from the 2002 Olympics but also from smaller regional events across the state.
We have a golden opportunity to show the best version of Salt Lake City to the world. We can help people have a positive and memorable experience. We do this by letting them know what to expect and how to engage with the city and its surrounding wild areas.
As part of the Leave No Trace Science Committee, I help oversee the Leave No Trace Gold Standard Program. Achieving this designation offers several advantages. It recognizes tourism destinations and cities like Salt Lake City for their commitment to environmental stewardship. This standard also helps protect our natural resources. It uses enhanced visitor education to reduce environmental impacts, leading to more resilient natural areas.
Achieving this standard requires building community pride and awareness. For Salt Lake City, the Leave No Trace Gold Standard designation can:
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Enhance Visitor Experience: Educate tourists on sustainable practices, ensuring our natural areas remain pristine and enjoyable.
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Show Leadership: Highlight our city’s dedication to environmental responsibility on an international stage.
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Foster Sustainable Tourism: Align with global sustainability goals, attract conscientious visitors, and promote long-term economic benefits.
Now is the Time to Prepare for 2034
We have several years left until the 2034 Winter Olympics. Let’s use this time to prepare and embrace the challenge. While we cannot know everything that will happen before then, we do know the Olympics will bring an influx of people to Utah. We know that many will be experiencing it for the first time.
We know this can be the best Winter Olympics yet, and it can support efforts to preserve Utah’s wilderness for future visitors and residents alike.
