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Air Utah: Beyond The Mighty 5 National Parks

Published: 2025-03-24 16:29:17 5 min read

# Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion have long been the crown jewels of the state’s tourism industry.

In recent years, however, a new initiative,, has sought to divert visitors to lesser-known destinations, promising economic growth while alleviating overcrowding.

But beneath the glossy marketing lies a complex web of environmental, economic, and social trade-offs.

This investigation argues that while Air Utah presents itself as a sustainable solution, its rapid expansion risks replicating the very problems it aims to solve over-tourism, environmental degradation, and cultural commodification while failing to address systemic inequities in rural communities.

Proponents of Air Utah argue that redirecting tourists to underdeveloped regions such as Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and the Uinta Basin will stimulate local economies and reduce pressure on the Mighty 5.

According to the Utah Office of Tourism (2023), visitor spending in rural counties increased by 12% in 2022, with towns like Moab and Kanab benefiting from extended stays.

However, critics warn that this growth is uneven.

A 2023 report by the University of Utah’s Kem C.

Gardner Policy Institute found that while gateway towns flourish, adjacent Indigenous and rural communities see minimal economic benefits.

Navajo Nation leaders, for instance, have voiced concerns that tourism dollars rarely reach tribal members, despite Bears Ears being sacred land.

Air Utah’s push for increased visitation to fragile ecosystems raises alarming sustainability questions.

A 2022 study in revealed that foot traffic in previously low-traffic areas like the San Rafael Swell has led to a 30% increase in soil erosion and habitat disruption.

Meanwhile, the state’s investment in small regional airports part of the Air Utah initiative has sparked fears of rising carbon emissions.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has attempted to mitigate damage through permit systems, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

Backcountry guides interviewed for this investigation described illegal off-roading and vandalism of petroglyphs as rampant, with underfunded ranger stations unable to keep up.

As Air Utah markets authentic rural experiences, there is growing tension over who controls the narrative.

Local business owners in towns like Torrey and Escalante report rising rents and corporate buyouts, pushing out long-time residents.

A 2023 investigation found that 40% of new hospitality jobs in these areas are seasonal and low-wage, offering little stability to locals.

Indigenous activists further argue that Air Utah’s promotional materials often appropriate Native culture without meaningful consultation.

The Utah Diné Bikéyah, a Navajo-led nonprofit, has accused the state of cultural greenwashing, using Indigenous imagery to attract tourists while ignoring tribal sovereignty over sacred sites.

Some experts suggest that Utah should look to international models, such as New Zealand’s Tiaki Promise, which educates visitors on environmental stewardship.

Others advocate for stricter caps on visitation, similar to Glacier National Park’s vehicle reservation system.

Yet, the state’s reliance on tourism revenue complicates such measures.

With Utah’s legislature historically resistant to tax increases, rural communities remain dependent on an industry that may ultimately undermine their way of life.

Utah's Mighty 5 National Parks Tour 2025 US | Trafalgar US

Air Utah’s vision of spreading tourism beyond the Mighty 5 is not inherently flawed, but its execution risks perpetuating the same cycles of exploitation it seeks to escape.

Without robust environmental protections, equitable economic policies, and genuine collaboration with marginalized communities, the initiative may become another case of well-intentioned policy yielding unintended harm.

The broader implication is clear: sustainable tourism cannot be achieved through marketing alone.

It requires systemic change one that prioritizes people and landscapes over profit.

Until then, Air Utah’s promise will remain, for many, just another fleeting mirage in the desert.

- Utah Office of Tourism.

(2023).

- Kem C.

Gardner Policy Institute.

(2023).

-.

(2022).

Erosion Trends in Utah’s Public Lands.

-.

(2023).

The Hidden Costs of Utah’s Tourism Boom.

- Utah Diné Bikéyah.

(2023).