NTA Speaks With GGNRA Chief of Public Affairs

August 25, 2004

NTA Speaks With GGNRA Chief of Public Affairs
August 25, 2004 – Earlier this week, NTA received notice that ticket sales to the travel and tourism industry to Alcatraz Island would be suspended beginning Jan. 1, 2005. Today NTA held a conference call with Rich Weiderman, Chief of the Public Affairs Office of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which administers the Alcatraz site. NTA was pleased to have the opportunity to become more familiar with the situation and to offer our assistance for a resolution that would satisfy all parties.

Weideman indicated that officials at Alcatraz Island are interested in any suggestions that NTA and the industry could propose that would accommodate industry needs and yet address the accessibly issues they face. He also indicated that solutions and suggestions must hold up to legal scrutiny.

Key issues with which the GGNRA is struggling include the extraordinarily high demand at Alcatraz Island, coupled with the relatively limited capacity of Alcatraz, and some commercial entities that purchase tickets and resell them at exorbitant prices.

NTA is now poised to engage industry partners and interested parties to assist Alcatraz Island in reaching possible solutions to the immediate needs of Alcatraz Island and the industry at large. For more information please contact the NTA Industry & Government Relations Department at 800-682-8886, ext. 4205 or http://preseason.ntaonline.com/.