The Importance of Tourism and Community on Hilton Head Island

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.

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.

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.