WASHINGTON, DC, Apr. 6 – AAHOA President and CEO Chip Rogers issued the following
statement in response to the Department of Interior’s announcement that it would “amend the
plan” to drastically increase entry fees at seventeen of the busiest national parks after receiving
overwhelming opposition to the proposed increase during the public comment period:
“Americans spoke, and government seems to have gotten the message – our national parks must
remain accessible and affordable for everyone. The Department of Interior’s initial plan to
increase peak-season entry fees at some of our busiest national parks, in some cases well over
100 percent per vehicle, is untenable. It could drive down park attendance and lessen the flow of
valuable tourism dollars that fuel small businesses around the parks. AAHOA members
appreciate the Department’s decision to “amend the plan” and call for further clarification of
proposed entry fee increases and how much-needed infrastructure improvements at the parks will
be funded.”
