Anyone who has visited Zion National Park in the Spring or Summer will note the number of cars waiting to access the park. If you have visited the park during the peak season you will have observed the difficulty in finding parking spaces located along the narrow canyon road.
Beginning in 2000, the National Park System implemented a free shuttle system to eliminate the over-crowding within the 6 mile loop that provides access along the narrow canyon floor. Zion National Park welcomes over 2.5 million visitors every year, most of who arrive during the months of March through October.
Unlike many shuttle systems, visitors do not need to come to the main visitor center to board the shuttle system. The Zion Canyon Shuttle picks up at 6 locations within the town of Springdale, Utah and brings them to the Visitor Center. The visitors may then board the buses for the loop through the park after paying their admission fees to the park. Visitors may get on or off as many times as they like sightseeing at 8 key locations within the park.
The shuttle uses “clean fuel” to minimize air pollution. During the shuttle service season, private cars are not allowed within the park.
This effort is an illustration of the integration into Springdale’s local economy and the sustainable resource use. Additionally, the web site for shuttle system goes a bit further with encouragement for responsible tourism. Check out their recommendations at their website:
http://www.nps.gov/zion/naturescience/green-travel.htm
Zion National Park is an excellent illustration of the cornerstones for fair trade and responsible tourism.
This effort is an illustration of the integration into Springdale’s local economy and the sustainable resource use. Additionally, the web site for shuttle system goes a bit further with encouragement for responsible tourism. Check out their recommendations at their website:
http://www.nps.gov/zion/naturescience/green-travel.htm
Zion National Park is an excellent illustration of the cornerstones for fair trade and responsible tourism.
- Fair Working Conditions: The buses are accessible for people who are working within Zion National Park or in the town of Springdale without charge. Therefore employees do not have to drive their cars or block parking spaces that should be used by tourists visiting the area.
- Fair Prices: Regardless of where a tourist stays within Springdale (campground or hotel), they are free to use the shuttle system at no charge.
- Integration Into the Local Economy and Regional Development: The shuttle is not limited to within the park itself, but rather picks up and drops off tourists at numerous stops within the town of Springdale. This eliminates cars from driving from a local campground or hotel to the parking lot at the Zion National Park Visitor's Center. It also makes it more convenient to take the shuttle bus out to the restaurants and grocery stores within Springdale.
- Fair Trade Partnerships Between All Actors in Tourism: Since the use of the shuttle buses does not require a fee or ticket, this encourages the tourists to spend their dollars at the local businesses.
- Sustainable Resource Use and Environmental Justice: The shuttle buses utilize "clean fuel" this has improved the air quality in the canyon areas. The elimination of cars and their exhaust, has not only improved air quality but has improved access to the very popular sights within the park and encouraged visitors to stop at a variety of areas within the park. This has improved the overall tourist experience for everyone visiting the park.
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