Destination Door County Launches Sustainability Pledge
Media contact; Jon Jarosh, Destination Door County, jon@doorcounty.com
Door County, WI. With traveler sentiment high and indicators pointing to a busy upcoming season in Door County, tourism leaders at Destination Door County (DDC) are launching a new sustainability pledge asking visitors to travel responsibly and be part of a movement to preserve and protect one of Wisconsin’s most popular travel destinations.
The Door County Pledge invites visitors to commit to responsible behaviors such as respecting the natural environment and acting kindly while encouraging exploration of the county with purpose, mindfulness, and care. It does so by focusing on key elements of a typical visitor experience on the peninsula and surrounding islands including water safety, environmental stewardship, destination awareness, capacity constraints and environmental preservation.
Beginning April 22, visitors are encouraged to digitally sign and commit to the Door County Pledge at DoorCounty.com. Visitors already in the county can digitally sign it in person at the Door County Welcome Center or at one of nine different community information centers. Sign the Door County Pledge here.
“Choosing Earth Day to launch our Door County Pledge initiative was a natural fit,” said Michelle Rasmusson, director of marketing & sales for DDC and a driving force behind the initiative. “Our role as an influential steward of this destination is a key component of the tourism management efforts we’ve moved to the forefront of our list of responsibilities. While destination marketing is still a primary focus, destination management activities have a more prominent role now as well and this is an example of the sustainability initiatives we feel are important for our destination moving forward,” she said.
“The Door County Pledge is not about limiting what visitors can do here,” Rasmusson continued, “it’s about expanding their understanding of the county and helping them realize the role they play in keeping it the special place it is.”
DDC will use multiple channels to explain and encourage visitors to take the Door County Pledge. Details are available on DoorCounty.com, and a special video explains the pledge, too. They’ve also reached out to local residents of the popular travel destination encouraging them to join the movement and to set a positive example for the area’s many visitors.
An online counter tracks how many people have taken the Door County Pledge. If everyone can do their part to protect the county's natural beauty and cultural heritage, two things vital to Door County’s long-term health and viability, Wisconsin’s popular peninsula can continue to thrive as a great place to visit, and live, for generations to come.
The Door County Pledge is part of a larger initiative Door County tourism leaders are preparing to roll out next month that will highlight several new destination management efforts. Details about a much broader Care for Door County initiative, which includes the pledge, a partnership with Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, a push to become a Green Tier certified destination and more will be released during National Travel & Tourism week, scheduled for May 2-8, 2021.
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Door County Pledge video YouTube link: https://youtu.be/se3eL8Qup0A
Door County Pledge toolkit link: https://www.doorcounty.com/care-for-door-county/toolkit/
Click a logo below to access a downloadable file:
