PRT 5680/6680 Gateway Destination Management
A project-based course built at the intersection of hospitality, public lands, communities, and sustainable tourism. Tackle real-world challenges and expand your skillset with on-site research in Utah's biggest gateway communities.Secure your spot—register in CIS today!
Search for PRT 5680 or 6680 in Campus Information Systems.
Course Activities
- Visit and analyze real destinations (e.g., Park City, Zion gateway communities such as Springdale and Kanab)
- Meet with park managers, local governments, and tourism operators
- Work in teams on an applied destination project
- Build practical skills in stakeholder engagement and decision-making
- Develop real-world strategies and recommendations for destination management challenges
- Explore the balance between tourism growth, community well-being, and environmental sustainability
If you're interested in careers in tourism, hospitality, destination management, or public land management, this course was designed with you in mind. It has no pre-requisites and is open to students from all majors and backgrounds.
The Chance to Present on a Global Stage
Top projects resulting from the course could have the opportunity to present their research and outcomes at the 2026 IMPACT – Atlantic Canada conference in British Columbia, Canada, on November 1st - 3rd.
IMPACT is a conference and regional event series driving momentum towards sustainable and regenerative tourism around the world. We believe in the positive, sustainable growth of tourism as a key economic and environmental driver, benefiting each destination for years to come.
Meet the Professor
Clara-Jane Blye, Ph.D. is a nature-based recreation and tourism researcher whose work focuses on sustainable tourism, visitor behavior, and the management of parks and protected areas. Her research explores how tourism impacts both natural environments and the communities that support them, with a particular interest in helping gateway and rural destinations navigate growing visitation in sustainable, community-centered ways. Dr. Blye has published on topics including environmental communication, visitor perceptions, and pro-environmental behavior, and she serves on the Board of Directors for Leave No Trace Canada. Since joining the University of Utah in 2024, she has brought this expertise into the classroom through hands-on, field-based learning—connecting students with industry professionals, public land managers, and community leaders to work on real-world tourism challenges and build practical, career-ready skills.
More About the Course
PRT5680/6680: Gateway Destination Management is a revitalized sustainable tourism course sponsored by the J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute organized in collaboration with the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department in the College of Health. This course explores how tourism, public lands, and gateway communities intersect in some of the most visited destinations in Utah. This field-based course examines how park managers, destination organizations (DMOs), local governments, and hospitality/tourism operators respond to increasing visitation, resource protection goals, and community well-being concerns.
In this course, students will engage directly with professionals across sectors and develop an applied destination brief on a real-world issue such as visitor crowding, seasonal demand, workforce housing, or visitor behavior. Top student projects will have a presentation opportunity at an international sustainable tourism conference, providing a unique opportunity to gain industry experience and expand your network.