Balancing the Costs & Benefits of Tourism Together
A cross-sector commitment to continually understand and actively balance the impacts of tourism, the goal of the Taos Destination Stewardship effort is to maintain the integrity and livability of Taos for generations to come.
The goal of Taos Destination Stewardship is to maintain the integrity and livability of Taos for generations to come.
Taos Destination Stewardship in Action
What this work looks like
INVESTING IN
Pilot Projects
BUILDING A
Network
CENTERING
Community
Voice
About the Destination Stewardship Network
The Taos Destination Stewardship Network (DSN) is a cross-sector coalition of volunteers committed to balancing the costs and benefits of tourism in the Taos region. The Network – with representation from local and tribal governments, public land agencies, businesses, and residents – collaboratively advances prioritization, planning and pilot implementation of initiatives born from the 3,348 resident voices that shaped the Taos Destination Stewardship Plan.
The Network is open to participation by all persons interested in committing to the values and principles of Taos Destination Stewardship.
About the Pilot Projects
Collaboratively designed, innovative projects that invest tourism dollars across the community and advance the Destination Stewardship Plan goal #2 - Inclusion & Equity
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This pilot program provides financial and technical support for cultural events that invite both locals and visitors to engage in the rich cultural traditions of Northern New Mexico.
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Taos SEED is a pilot program, an intentional first step in trying something new. Designed with the collective insight of cross-sector partners from business, government, culture, education, and community organizations, SEED is testing new ways to support local tourism innovators while learning what it takes to build a more equitable, community-centered tourism economy in Taos County.
About Centering Community Voices & Values
Destination Stewardship takes everyone.
This plan and work is a direct result of the thousands of voices that came out to envision a more sustainable and equitable visitation economy in Taos through the Tourism Revisited Survey in 2022.
Local Voices for Destination Stewardship
Shaped by over 3,342 local voices:
The Taos Destination Stewardship Goals are a framework to guide cross-sector collaboration and action towards maintaining the livability and integrity of the many communities in Taos.
How we got here:
2016
Destination Stewardship was proposed as a concept to the Town of Taos.
2019
Visitor spending increased by 3.3% year over year since 2015, highlighting both growing economic contributions and mounting pressure on the local economy.
2021
A request for proposals was published to contract services for consultants specialized in developing community-informed Destination Stewardship Plans.
2023
SUMMER
4 focus group sessions and 3 town halls were conducted to understand tourism-related challenges. Resident and business surveys were launched.
2023
FALL
2 workshops, 3 focus groups, and 2 town halls brought the community together again to discuss their vision for Taos and lay the foundation for the plan’s priorities and key action items.
2024
MAY
The Destination Stewardship Plan was finalized based on insights from resident and business surveys, as well as visitor analysis reports.
2024
JUNE
The Town of Taos formally adopted the Destination Stewardship Plan.
2024/
2025
The Destination Stewardship Network was formed to address the piloting of initiatives laid out in the plan.
2026
Destination Stewardship work continues to be pursued in Taos through the Network & various projects across the community.
Destination Stewardship, A Global Movement
More than marketing or promotion - Destination Stewardship is a commitment to center the economic, environmental, and social/cultural needs the community.
A great place to live is a great place to visit, but the other way around is not always true.
Taos is a part of the DestinationTHINK Collective, with membership thanks to the Town of Taos.
Their platform connects leaders from around the world to learn, advocate and inspire a better future for travel.
As travel increases across the globe, economies that depend on visitation have realized they need a new way to approach the costs and benefits of tourism. “Destination Stewardship” is a global call to action for governments, businesses, residents and travelers to work towards protecting the integrity of livability of places they love that invest tourism dollars across the community.
GET INVOLVED
Destination Stewardship isn’t a finished plan—it’s a working practice. If you live here, work here, or depend on Taos as a place, you can get involved.
We’re currently looking for:
-Community voices willing to inform future priorities
-Businesses interested in piloting stewardship-aligned ideas
-Partners ready to collaborate beyond promotion
→ Start a conversation
