From its beginnings, the National Park System has had a dynamic relationship with tourism. Well before the establishment of the National Park Service (NPS) in 1916, railroad companies and lodging operators brought visitors and economic development to park gateway communities. Today, as tourism and destination management grow in scale and complexity, the National Park Service works with the travel and tourism sector to manage responsible tourism that supports conservation and preservation, provides high-quality visitor experiences, and contributes to community vitality.