U.S. national park summer bookings down 5% this year

Summer bookings for national parks across the U.S. are down this year. Many travelers are uncertain about accessing the parks due to recent layoffs in the National Park Service (NPS). More than 1,000 staff members were let go, causing confusion about summer plans. Despite the layoffs being temporarily rolled back due to legal issues, concerns remain. A hotel owner near Yosemite noted a drop of 1,000 reservations compared to last year. On the East Coast, hotels near Cape Cod National Seashore report a 5% decrease in reservations. One major reason for the drop in bookings is the suspension of the NPS reservation system. This system allowed visitors to book specific days for their visits. Without it, potential travelers are hesitant to secure hotel rooms, unsure if they’ll be able to enter the parks. Interest from Canadian visitors has also declined. Many Canadians have expressed reluctance to travel to the U.S. due to strained relations. If tourists do visit the parks, they may face issues related to understaffing. This could mean fewer guides and longer wait times. Discussions about staffing cuts are ongoing. National parks require significant labor for maintenance, and these cuts could impact visitor experiences. The NPS is attempting to bring back laid-off workers, but it remains to be seen how effective this will be. Local communities that depend on tourism are feeling the effects. Businesses like gear rental shops are uncertain about how many workers to hire. Ultimately, changes in government policy may heavily influence the summer season for national parks. For now, visitors should be prepared for possible challenges. Those planning trips might find maintenance issues at the parks, such as overflowing toilets or litter.