The Western States Tourism Policy Council produced and sponsored the landmark Western Summit on Tourism & Public Lands: Seeking Common Ground, held in September, 1996. Delegates to the Summit included federal and other high level public land managers and policy makers; and key leaders from both the public and private sectors of the tourism industry from the thirteen western states. This included the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

In attendance were national leaders from the U.S. departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Governors Association, the Western Governors Association, Native American organizations and national tourism organizations. The Summit enhanced cooperation and communication between tourism leaders in the West and public lands managers. Several documents of research and results have emanated from this process, including a federal resource guide on tourism and public lands, the Western Summit on Tourism and Public Lands White Papers and the proceedings of the Summit.

The WSTPC sponsored the Far West Cultural Tourism Leadership Forum in March, 1997, which brought together cultural and tourism leaders and organizations in the West. The Forum stimulated cultural tourism in the West and encouraged cooperative efforts between cultural and tourism leaders.

Among other activities, the WSTPC has educated key government leaders on important tourism issues pertaining to the Visa Waiver Pilot Program and the Standard Industrial Classification (S.I.C.) Codes to measure and recognize the economic impact of tourism.

As a result of the recommendations made at the Western Summit on Tourism and Public Lands, the WSTPC conducted a study to assess and compile visitors’ codes of ethics and responsible tourism guidelines. Respect the Land We Love™ is a program and symbol initiated by the Council to represent its commitment to foster and preserve the historical, natural and cultural character of the West in order to ensure future generations an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the West’s rich heritage. This message will appear on all brochures and printed material distributed by the Council and the member western states.

This symbol represents the Western States Tourism Policy Council commitment to foster and preserve the historical, natural and cultural character of the West in order to ensure future generations an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the West’s rich heritage

In cooperation with several federal departments and agencies, WSTPC has worked to negotiate a landmark Memorandum of Understanding designed to help all parties achieve their mutual goals of meeting the needs of people who travel through the West and contributing to the sustainability of communities through the protection and management of our rich western natural heritage.

In September, 1998, WSTPC and the federal public lands and resources agencies sponsored a gateway comunities conference that focused on the challenges and issues concerning comunities which serve as gateways to federal public lands.