The House National Parks Subcommittee held an oversight
hearing on April 6, 2006, to discuss declining visitation
rates in the National Parks, particularly among young people
and minorities, and how to engage physically active young
people to visit the parks. Two witnesses, John Schoppmann
of Forever Resorts, and Bob Warren of the National Alliance
of Gateway Communities, suggested that limitations on motorized
forms of recreation may be a factor. Both Schoppmann and
Warren discussed the impacts of access restrictions and
their effects on popular forms of outdoor recreation that
have been forced to migrate to other venues, contributing
to the parks' declining attendance numbers. The full testimony
of the witnesses.
Opening Statement of
Subcommittee Chairman Steve Pearce (R-NM)
Opening Statement of Subcommittee
Ranking Member Donna Christensen (D-VI)
Panel I:
Marsha Blaszak
Regional Director
Alaska Region
National Park Service
Panel II:
Dr. Suzanne D. Cook
Senior Vice President of Research
Travel Industry Association of America
Washington, D.C.
Mr. Mike Cerletti
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism
State of New Mexico
Santa Fe, NM
Mr. John Schoppmann
Executive Vice President
Forever Resorts
Scottsdale, AZ
Mr. Bob Warren
General Manager
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association
Redding, CA
Mr. Scott Ahlsmith
CTC, Chairman, Board of Trustees
The Travel Institute, President and CEO
Magellan Travel Institutes
Glen Ellyn, IL