Speak Up for Group Travel: Help Shape Policy Under the “Making America Beautiful Again” Initiative
Immediate action needed to revise current NPS policies in favor of group travel and motorcoaches
In July 2025, the administration issued a significant Executive Order, Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks, which mandates strategies to increase revenue and improve recreational experience in national parks. This directive calls for raising entrance and recreation pass fees for non-residents, using the resulting revenue to invest in infrastructure, enhance access, and make parks more affordable for U.S. residents. It also authorizes review and reform of Park Service policies that limit recreational access and calls for addressing the substantial maintenance backlog—exceeding $23 billion for the National Park Service and $10.8 billion for the Forest Service.
For the group travel and motorcoach industry, this is a pivotal moment. As NPS rethinks its fee structures and policies under this directive, your insights can help ensure that group access and operations are central to the improvements. NPS is currently seeking public input (comments accepted September 9 – October 9, 2025), and ABA has provided a sample response to guide you. But your real-world experiences—from entry challenges to operational success stories—are what will drive meaningful policy.
Key Recommendations to Include in Your Submission
Based on established priorities and the Executive Order’s calls for infrastructure enhancement and access improvements, we urge you to emphasize the following:
Increased Bus Parking
Advocate for additional dedicated and convenient parking areas for motorcoaches at key parks to ease congestion, reduce traffic snarls, and improve safety and turnaround for group travelers.
Bus-Only Entrances
Request designated entry points for buses or group vehicles where feasible, to streamline entry, avoid bottlenecks, and enhance efficiency for both operators and visitors.
Streamlining and Enhancements to the CUA Online Application Process
The Executive Order calls for reducing bureaucratic delays that hinder recreation. Emphasize the importance of a user-friendly and efficient Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) system. Suggest specific improvements—such as improved website design, clearer instructions, and responsive support.
Reduced Entry Fees for Groups
While the Executive Order focuses on increasing fees for foreign visitors, it also mandates enhancing affordability for U.S. residents. Your input can underscore how offering reduced rates for organized domestic groups supports access, education, and domestic tourism.
Nationalized and Consistent Universal CUA Program
Stress the need for a standardized, universally recognized CUA valid across all parks, eliminating duplication and inconsistency. This aligns with the administration’s broader goal of reducing red tape.
Simplified CUA Reporting Requirements
Excessive reporting burdens can discourage compliance. Ask NPS to streamline reporting, require only essential data, and permit flexibility in form and submission methods.
Instructions for Submitting Your Input
- Use the ABA sample draft response as a starting point but personalize it with your experiences.
- At the top of your comment, add:
My name is [INSERT YOUR NAME], and I represent [INSERT COMPANY NAME], located in [INSERT CITY, STATE].
- Highlight your recommendations with specific examples from your operations.
- Navigate to the NPS Request for Information docket, paste in your tailored response, and click “Submit” to send it.
Why This Matters
The Executive Order signals a shift toward reinvestment and expanded access—but only with industry feedback will NPS understand how policies play out on the ground. Your voice matters. By calling for increased bus parking, bus-only entries, streamlined and nationalized CUA processes, reduced group fees, and simpler reporting, you can help shape policies that support efficient, equitable, and enriching group travel to our national parks.
The deadline to submit comments is October 9, 2025.
