NTA Concerned Over Elimination of Alcatraz Island Ticket Sales to Travel Industry

August 24, 2004

NTA Concerned Over Elimination of Alcatraz Island Ticket Sales to Travel Industry
August 24, 2004 – Late last week, NTA learned that Alcatraz Island, a unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, will eliminate the sale of tickets to the tour and travel industry, effective Jan.1, 2005. NTA President, Hank Phillips, CTP, expressed his "strong concern" about this action. "This will obviously have a detrimental impact on those operators who take visitors to Alcatraz Island. Even worse than that, though, is the precedent of excluding ticket sales to the tour and travel industry."

In a letter received at NTA Headquarters from the General Superintendent, Brian O’Neill, GGNRA expressed that high demand frequently surpasses the supply of tickets, particularly during peak tourist months, making it impossible to structure a "system that can flexibly meet the needs of existing and emerging tour and travel companies and of the public."

GGNRA stated that they hope to work with the industry in the future when "current park studies are completed and/or National Park Service-wide programs are in place and implemented within GGNRA."

Phillips said that NTA will have immediate discussions with the NPS and will work with the Park Service to restore access for the industry.

Questions may be directed to Rich Weiderman, Public Affairs office at 415-561-4730 or you may contact NTA Government Relations at 800-682-8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859-226-4444. NTA wants to know if your company is affected by this action by the GGNRA. Please contact Matt Grayson at matt.grayson@ntastaff.com.

Click here if you would like to read the news release NTA distributed to the media.