RTN Launches Self-Assessments for Destination Marketing Organizations with Personalized Reports
2025 State of Rural Tourism Report
Rural Tourism Network surveyed 68 Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) in rural communities across 16 states. Survey topics included staffing, budget, technology, collaboration, and operational challenges to identify unique obstacles and opportunities in rural tourism. Despite seeing strong visitor growth (79% report stable or growing visitation), these organizations often lack the resources to demonstrate impact and capitalize on demand effectively.
To our knowledge, this represents the first multi-state survey to specifically examine rural DMO operations from the organizations' perspective, providing empirical data on technology needs, collaboration patterns, and resource constraints where previously only aggregated industry statistics existed. While extensive research documents destination management and theoretical frameworks, few studies examine the operational realities of small rural DMOs: how they function day-to-day and what infrastructure would help them succeed.
Makers & Places: Katie Grove in Stone Ridge, NY
For Katie Grove, a wild basketry artist who's made Stone Ridge her home for fifteen years, this landscape is her studio, her material supplier, her teacher. The vines climbing through forests, the cattails growing in wetlands, the white pine bark and inner tree bark—these become functional vessels and sculptural works that can't be replicated by industrial means.
Makers & Places: Alison Charli Smith in the Hudson Valley
Our first few issues are dedicated to helping New Yorkers discover the incredible artisans working in nearby regions, all accessible by train or car for a day trip or weekend escape. Whether you're seeking authentic cultural experiences, handmade goods with a story, or simply a reprieve from city life, Makers & Places is your guide to discovering the people and places that make rural America extraordinary.
What does the Government Shutdown mean for Rural Tourism?
The government shutdown is already sending shockwaves through America’s travel economy, with Tourism Economics estimating $1 billion in losses every week it continues. For rural communities, where public lands are often the backbone of the local economy, the consequences are immediate — and potentially devastating.
AI’s Impact on Rural Communities
At RTN, we see exciting opportunities for AI in tourism, but we also know rural communities are being disproportionately impacted by the AI boom.
Tourism Trails and Passport Programs
Discover how themed trails and passport programs are driving growth in rural tourism. From food and history to agritourism and outdoor adventure, these models encourage longer stays, cross-county exploration, and stronger ties between visitors and local businesses. Learn why they work, see real-world examples, and explore opportunities to take them even further.
Why It’s Important to View Tourism Through a Rural Lens
Rural destinations offer some of the most authentic, culturally rich, and environmentally sustainable travel experiences available in the U.S. These communities are often home to unique heritage sites, outdoor recreation assets, regional cuisine, and storytelling traditions that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
6 Trends Fueling Rural Tourism Growth
Travelers are rediscovering rural America—and the data shows they’re not done yet. The opportunity now is to harness this momentum while building sustainable, community-centered tourism.
Rural Tourism in the USA: An Overview
Rural tourism, at its core, is travel beyond urban centers into the backroads, small towns, and working landscapes that make up most U.S. counties. Its activities stretch from hikes and paddles to farm dinners, music festivals, and craft studios, all rooted in communities that highlight their own heritage and environment.