As of Jan. 1, the National Park Service implemented a surcharge at 11 of the most visited national parks for non-United States residents. The 11 parks include Utah’s own Bryce Canyon and Zion, with the charge being $100 or more per person. Annual park passes have also increased in price from $80 to $250 for international visitors.
The extra funds will be reimbursed into the parks, supporting maintenance and staffing. This pricing structure was created to reflect the federal taxes paid by U.S. citizens that support the park. International visitors typically don’t pay these taxes.
This new fee structure aims to give U.S. citizens the best deal possible while still raising the funds necessary for the backload of maintenance needed for the parks.
“These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
However, national park employees seem to disagree, arguing that these fees create longer lines due to checks for nationality, and tourists have been turning away rather than paying the increased price. This could create a drop in visitation and discourage international visitors.
“It is full discrimination, the national parks are for everyone to experience,” argued Sweden international student Godgift Ijomanta. “It motivates me not to go to national parks where it should be bringing money into the state. Rules like this make people not want to visit the area.”
Many international SUU students are discouraged by the fee implementation, saying that they feel like everyone should have equal opportunities to visit the parks.
“It’s really unfair to every student that comes to SUU to study,” said another student from Romania, Aaron Nistor. “It should be free to every student for anyone with a student ID.”
Some also believe that students should not have to pay tax for national park passes.
“I don’t think we should charge students to experience nature,” Nistor added. “It is our right to explore what the earth gave us, and it is crazy to pay a tax just to enter a national park.”
For more information, visit the National Park Service website.
Author: Emelia Montgomery
Photo: Courtesy of the National Public Radio
Editor: Briar Adams
outdoors@suunews.net
