With visitation numbers on the rise, Parks Canada is preparing to roll out an online reservation system for its campgrounds across the country, three months earlier than last year, making it easier for visitors to plan their trips in advance.
The online reservation system, which opens Jan. 13 for Jasper National Park campgrounds, coincides with news that nearly 2.1 million people visited the park during the first nine months of 2015.
That’s a six per cent increase over the same period a year earlier and in line with the national average, according to Steve Young, a communications officer for JNP.
Tourism Jasper welcomed the positive news, particularly in light of the challenging economic times in Alberta.
“We are fortunate to be in this position as other destinations around Western Canada are not in the same position,” wrote Bryan Attree, managing director for Tourism Jasper, in an email.
“Increased visitation in Jasper National Park means dollars are being spent in destination which benefits local business. Ultimately with an increase in visitors, we are able to convert them into lifelong advocates for Jasper.”
Nationally, more than 20 million people visited Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2015.
In Alberta, more than 6.6 million people visited national parks, an increase of nine per cent over the same period a year earlier.
Banff National Park reported an increase of nine per cent, while Waterton Lakes National Park, located in the southwest corner of Alberta, reported an increase of 15 per cent.
“The success of the 2015 visitor season builds on the reputation of Parks Canada as offering gateways to nature, adventure and discovery, and helps grow local tourism and create jobs,” stated Daniel Watson, CEO for Parks Canada, in a press release.
A detailed breakdown of visitation numbers for each park was unavailable, but Parks said it will make them available online in the near future.
The early tally comes as Parks prepares to roll out its online camping reservation system in mid-January.
The online camping reservation system will open in stages over the next month for 27 national parks and historic sites across Canada.
In Jasper, people will be able to choose from 1,500 road accessible campsites in Pocahontas, Wabasso, Wapiti and Whistlers campgrounds on Jan 13. at 8 a.m.
Backcountry reservations in Jasper National Park will open on Jan. 28 at 8 a.m.
“Jasper’s backcountry encompasses over 1,000 km of trails and over 80 campgrounds and camping areas,” wrote Young. “Athabasca Island, Big Bend, Saturday Night Lake and a paddle-in-only campground, Hidden Cove on Maligne Lake, are sure to be backcountry favorites with their recent renovations.”
The online reservation system is only accepting bookings from April 2016 to March 2017.
Parks said the agency had more than 210,000 campground reservations across the country in 2015—an increase of 27 per cent over the previous year.
The agency also said it will add 240 new oTENTiks—a cross between a tent and a rustic A-frame cabin—over the next three years, doubling their numbers across the country.
For more information about the online registration system and to set up an account in advance, visit parkscanada.gc.ca/reservations.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
