National Park Service Bulk Pass Sales – No Operational Solution Yet

IITA met this week with senior officials from the National Park Service, including Deputy Director Nicole Woody, who is now overseeing the agency’s fee programs. While NPS acknowledged the serious operational concerns raised by IITA and the broader industry, there is still no workable solution in place for commercial tour operators.

NPS has now confirmed that parks are not currently set up to sell passes in bulk – to anyone. There is a limit of five passes per online transaction and an annual cap on how many passes an individual may purchase.

In short, although the agency’s stated intent is to allow tour operators to purchase America the Beautiful International passes on behalf of their groups, there is presently no mechanism to do so.

What This Means on the Ground

Until a solution is implemented, the only options available are operationally unworkable:

• At park entrances: Using a 40-passenger motorcoach as an example, ten passengers would need to disembark and each purchase a pass, with each pass covering four people. Operators cannot use a single credit card for multiple transactions, as the system flags that as a bulk purchase.
• Advance digital purchases: Individual passengers could purchase digital passes in advance. However, the operator would need to determine in advance which passengers are purchasing and how each pass would be allocated to up to four travelers.

In both cases, if operators intend to cover the cost, they would need to reimburse customers – creating administrative burden, financial complexity, and guest confusion.

What NPS Is Exploring

The agency shared that it is actively working on potential solutions, including:

• Establishing third-party sellers authorized to sell passes in bulk – for example, retail locations outside park entrances where operators could purchase passes without delaying entry lines.
• Reviewing park-level policies and barriers that currently prohibit bulk sales, with the goal of elevating potential solutions to the Department of the Interior for action.

IITA specifically asked whether CUA holders or trade associations could become authorized third-party sellers. NPS indicated such options were under review.

NPS suggested a solution could be identified within 30 days, though officials acknowledged that timeline is aggressive.

No Indication of Delay

While NPS leadership confirmed awareness of IITA’s request – and others – urging a delay or pause, they indicated they have received no signal from the Department of the Interior that postponement of the program is under consideration.

“IITA will continue pressing for an immediate, practical solution. It is unacceptable for a program of this magnitude to be implemented without clear, operationally viable procedures – particularly after industry was advised that bulk purchase options would be available when they are not,” said IITA Executive Director Lisa Simon.

“We will keep members informed as developments unfold and will continue exploring every appropriate avenue to ensure workable implementation for commercial operators.”