The federal government is hunting for more cash from Canada's national parks and historic sites, including examining potential new fees for some activities and services.
Parks Canada is looking to identify new sources of earned revenue from areas such as retail, concessions, Internet activities, licensing/ royalties, rentals, memberships, public programs and other ventures, according to the work summary of a new "revenue generation study" it is commissioning.
"Some of our locations can have lots of potential for that kind of revenue generation," said Ed Jager, director of visitor experience with Parks Canada.
The federal agency - which is responsible for the country's 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites and three marine conservation areas - is also searching for new sources of contributed revenue, such as individual and corporate donations, fundraising and annual giving.
Environment Minister Peter Kent, who is in charge of Parks Canada, released a report in November that found the country's national parks and heritage sites are raking in billions of dollars for Canada's economy, with more than 80 per cent of the revenue coming from visitors.
He also announced most public user fees in parks and historic sites will remain frozen until April 2013.
But Parks Canada, which recovers about 30 per cent of the overall costs of providing visitor services and facilities, is now looking for additional dollars to support its operations and enhance tourists' experiences.
However, the agency's request for private-sector submissions says the focus is on new opportunities to collect cash rather than simply adjusting current user fees.
"The purpose of (the study) is to analyse Parks Canada's potential to generate increased net revenue from sources that are currently under-performing or are untapped and to leverage an appropriate return to taxpayers from government investment," says the proposal for the study, which is expected to cost $50,000.
"The work will be focused on new revenue-generating activities rather than on the existing pricing or user fees for current services and facilities that are offered to visitors."
Existing or new facilities, services and products for which user fees do not currently apply will also be examined. The study is to be completed and delivered to the government by late March 2012.
The summary of work says a 2011 pricing study conducted for Parks Canada found most of the agency's user fees were either at or near the top of market rates and that "little opportunity exists for significant new revenues from fee increases."
Jager said the agency has been eyeing new revenue and branding opportunities for years and has even considered establishing a national trust. Donations to Parks Canada are "really sporadic" and the agency currently isn't well set up to accept contributions, he added.
The study will review the earned revenue and donations collected by other heritage attractions, such as parks organizations, museums, theme parks and resorts.
Monica Andreeff, executive director of the Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment, said her group opposes any measures that would compromise the ecological integrity of the parks.
However, she applauds the agency for looking at new sources of revenue to improve visitors' enjoyment of the parks.
"They're struggling to fund what they do have now. Parks Canada actually needs an infusion of cash," Andreeff said Wednesday.
"A lot of their infrastructure is suffering."
Moreover, many urbanites and new citizens are out of touch with the country's parks and historic sites, and the agency must look at new ways to attract visitors to "maintain the relevancy to Canadians," she said.
Original Article
Source: Ottawa Citizen
Parks Canada is looking to identify new sources of earned revenue from areas such as retail, concessions, Internet activities, licensing/ royalties, rentals, memberships, public programs and other ventures, according to the work summary of a new "revenue generation study" it is commissioning.
"Some of our locations can have lots of potential for that kind of revenue generation," said Ed Jager, director of visitor experience with Parks Canada.
The federal agency - which is responsible for the country's 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites and three marine conservation areas - is also searching for new sources of contributed revenue, such as individual and corporate donations, fundraising and annual giving.
Environment Minister Peter Kent, who is in charge of Parks Canada, released a report in November that found the country's national parks and heritage sites are raking in billions of dollars for Canada's economy, with more than 80 per cent of the revenue coming from visitors.
He also announced most public user fees in parks and historic sites will remain frozen until April 2013.
But Parks Canada, which recovers about 30 per cent of the overall costs of providing visitor services and facilities, is now looking for additional dollars to support its operations and enhance tourists' experiences.
However, the agency's request for private-sector submissions says the focus is on new opportunities to collect cash rather than simply adjusting current user fees.
"The purpose of (the study) is to analyse Parks Canada's potential to generate increased net revenue from sources that are currently under-performing or are untapped and to leverage an appropriate return to taxpayers from government investment," says the proposal for the study, which is expected to cost $50,000.
"The work will be focused on new revenue-generating activities rather than on the existing pricing or user fees for current services and facilities that are offered to visitors."
Existing or new facilities, services and products for which user fees do not currently apply will also be examined. The study is to be completed and delivered to the government by late March 2012.
The summary of work says a 2011 pricing study conducted for Parks Canada found most of the agency's user fees were either at or near the top of market rates and that "little opportunity exists for significant new revenues from fee increases."
Jager said the agency has been eyeing new revenue and branding opportunities for years and has even considered establishing a national trust. Donations to Parks Canada are "really sporadic" and the agency currently isn't well set up to accept contributions, he added.
The study will review the earned revenue and donations collected by other heritage attractions, such as parks organizations, museums, theme parks and resorts.
Monica Andreeff, executive director of the Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment, said her group opposes any measures that would compromise the ecological integrity of the parks.
However, she applauds the agency for looking at new sources of revenue to improve visitors' enjoyment of the parks.
"They're struggling to fund what they do have now. Parks Canada actually needs an infusion of cash," Andreeff said Wednesday.
"A lot of their infrastructure is suffering."
Moreover, many urbanites and new citizens are out of touch with the country's parks and historic sites, and the agency must look at new ways to attract visitors to "maintain the relevancy to Canadians," she said.
Original Article
Source: Ottawa Citizen
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