NPS Entrance Fees Impact Consumers, Not Operators
June 1, 2007
NPS Entrance Fees Impact Consumers, Not Operators
June 1, 2007 – In an article in the May 22 issue of Tuesday, NTA reported that the U.S. National Park Service had clarified what is happening with entrance fees for its sites in 2007-08. NTA initiated a conference call between the association and NPS leaders, on which NPS officials gave assurance that the flat commercial fees tour operators and motorcoach companies pay are not going up in 2007 and that they would honor their commitment to give NTA at least 12 months notice of any increase in commercial fees.
Even though rates aren’t going up for tour operators, individual visitors are seeing increases in NPS site admission and parking fees. Additionally, the cost of annual park passes has gone up for 2007 for individuals.
NTA has a longstanding partnership with the Park Service, and has continued to work on behalf of its members on issues related to visitation and fees at these treasured landmarks. For many years, the two groups also have teamed up on program development and visitor enhancement projects at NPS sites.
Currently NTA leaders are helping NPS and American Recreation Coalition officials develop iPod audio tours for one of America’s Scenic Byways, the George Washington Memorial Parkway.