Courier January Courier | Page 13

The solution to our great parks’ needs cannot and should not be shouldered by its visitors—we can fix this together. As you know, these issues are very impor- tant to our organizations, and we would very much like to further discuss these contemplated policy changes. We look forward to working with you and your team in the near future. Last year the NPS recorded a whopping 330 million recreational visits, up sig- nificantly from what had been a record- breaking 307 million visits in 2015. If the currently proposed fee increases are implemented, those record numbers will not continue to climb. D I S COV E R Voices of concern These are the travel industry asso- ciations that joined to register con- cern about proposed adjustments to U.S. National Park Service entry and permit fees: American Bus Association UNCOMPLICATED. UNCONGESTED. UNSPOILED. International Inbound Travel Association International Motorcoach Group National Tour Association Ontario Motor Coach Association Student & Youth Travel Association United Motorcoach Association United States Tour Operators Association To read the Oct. 24 announcement about proposed fee increases, see the news release on the NPS website: bit.ly/2xkdSL1 Unpack once! Make Fairfield the hub for your next group tour with countless world-class destinations within a one-hour drive and bus-friendly parking at affordable hotels and attractions. 128 113 Sacramento Lake Tahoe 29 Comments count Due in part to the urging of NTA and other industry associations— and also to the large number of comments (nearly 80,000 at press time) that citizens submitted to the National Park Service website—NPS extended the comment period by several weeks, ending in late De- cember. However, NTA is continu- ing to collect reactions and opinions from members, who can email their concerns to Executive Vice Presi- dent Catherine Prather at catherine. [email protected]. 99 Napa Sonoma 12 12 37 12 4 1 24 San Francisco 4 Oakland 120 132 99 1 San Jose Anhesuer-Busch Brewery, Jelly Belly Factory, Suisun Valley wine region, and so much more at... VISITFAIRFIELDCA.COM Christian Wentworth • [email protected] • 707-399-2445 NTAonline.com 11