The Importance of Tourism and Community on Hilton Head Island
September in the Lowcountry means many things: a deeper green to the marsh grass, the beginning of oyster season, and on September 27th, World Tourism Day! This moment offers an opportunity to take stock of the importance of our visitor economy as we plan for the future of America’s Favorite Island®.
When it comes to sharing our coastal paradise with visitors from across the country and around the world, we’ve taken a holistic, forward-thinking approach that prioritizes the well-being of the community we call home. Read on to learn more about our flourishing tourist sector, and how we’re taking thoughtful steps to create an equitable, sustainable industry that gives back to the entire island community.
America’s Favorite Island®
Hilton Head Island was built upon tourism. Every year, people flock to our scenic corner of South Carolina, in search of arts and culture, ecotourism, history, adventures in the great outdoors, and some of the best championship golf on the Eastern Seaboard. Last year alone, these vacation-goers contributed more than $3 billion to the local economy. In fact, our island’s tourism sector represents the biggest economic driver in the greater Lowcountry area, making it of crucial importance not just to those who work in the industry, but to the community as a whole.
Though our mild coastal climate is inviting all year round, the lion’s share of Hilton Head Island visitors come in the summer, making tourism a major source of seasonal employment for local residents. And of those who visit, more than 70% will return again, creating cherished traditions and lifelong memories here in our welcoming corner of the Lowcountry.
Sustainable Tourism, Rooted in Tradition
Demand for sustainable travel has soared in recent years. From protecting sensitive habitats to reducing single-use plastic consumption, travelers have become increasingly mindful of their environmental impact as they seek to experience new destinations in a more sustainable way. This shift in the consumer mindset has left many in the tourism industry scrambling to adapt — but here on Hilton Head Island, ecological stewardship has been a core consideration since the very start.
Developer Charles Fraser established our original resort community in 1957, sowing the seeds of what would one day become America’s first eco-planned community. His thoughtful, limited approach to development prioritized the island’s natural beauty through the use of covenants, deed restrictions, and strict, sustainable land-planning standards.
What began with the built environment has steadily grown into a community-wide commitment to conservation. From protecting endangered sea turtles to earning a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community rating from the American League of Bicyclists, our sustainability ethos ensures that generations of residents and visitors alike can experience the beauty of America’s Favorite Island, leaving nothing but their footprints behind them.
A Celebration of Lowcountry Heritage
When it comes to building a thriving tourism sector here on Hilton Head Island, sustainability is just the start. Beyond the maritime forests, salt marshes, and winding tidal creeks, our coastal community is also home to a rich and vibrant history — one that our tourist economy helps to preserve, protect, and celebrate.
This fascinating history stretches back more than 4,000 years, from ancient Indigenous monuments like the Indian Shell Ring to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, the site of America’s first self-governed freedman’s town. When it comes to sharing these storied sites with visitors from across the country, we’ve taken a mindful and holistic approach, ensuring that historic preservation remains a key priority for our growing tourism industry.
Whole-Island Wellness
A thriving, thoughtfully managed tourism economy enhances the quality of life for our entire community — but it can also be equally enriching for visitors to Hilton Head Island. Along with sustainability, wellness has emerged as a key consideration for vacation-goers in the post-pandemic era, with wellness tourism projected to hit $1.3 trillion by 2025.
With its pristine landscapes, world-class spa resorts, and abundance of opportunities for outdoor activity, Hilton Head Island is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this growing segment of the market. Here, visitors can commune with nature in lush maritime forests, go for a run along more than 12 miles of wide, pristine beaches, or check in to one of our wellness-focused spa resorts for the ultimate self-care sojourn.
It’s a natural fit for a community like ours, which has been focused on wellness since long before it became a buzzword. Robust offerings like the world-renowned Hilton Head Health Resort offer custom fitness plans, nutritional workshops, gourmet cuisine, and rejuvenating spa treatments—all grounded in decades of industry expertise.
It All Starts With a Visit
From safeguarding our delicate coastal environment to empowering communities, we’re passionate about building an industry that gives back to our island home. Our long-term approach to destination management helps preserve the character and authenticity of Hilton Head Island, ensuring the future prosperity of our island for residents and visitors alike.
You could spend all day reading about what makes Hilton Head Island’s approach to tourism so unique, but the best way to understand this truly one-of-a-kind vacation destination is to experience it for yourself. Find inspirational trip itineraries, explore special offers and packages, and get ready to experience tourism as it ought to be on America’s Favorite Island®.
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