The tourism industry, particularly companies that rely on national parks for their itineraries, is bracing for potential disruptions following the Trump administration’s sudden dismissal of 1,000 National Park Service (NPS) employees. While officials have reassured tour operators that park services will continue, the loss of workers has already led to operational challenges in some parks.
Tour operators have expressed concern that the layoffs, which took effect on February 14 as part of the administration’s effort to cut government spending, could cause delays in park services, permit approvals, and overall visitor experience. Despite promises to rehire seasonal workers, the abrupt loss of permanent staff has left many operators wary about what lies ahead.
Scott Cundy, co-founder of Wildland Trekking, a company that organizes hiking and backpacking trips across 30 national parks, noted that a reduced workforce could create setbacks. “There can be delays on stuff that we need, like getting permits or renewing guiding licenses or different things that we really rely on the parks for,” he explained. These uncertainties could affect companies offering national park tours, especially as the summer season approaches.
Tourism-related businesses in communities surrounding national parks are also feeling the ripple effects of the staff reductions. The National Park Service estimated that in 2023, visitor spending in gateway communities generated approximately $26.4 billion, supporting 415,000 jobs and contributing $55.6 billion in economic output. With potential declines in park visitation due to service disruptions, local economies could face significant losses.
Catherine Prather, president of the National Tour Association, highlighted concerns raised by tour operators. One receptive operator, who requested anonymity, reported that they had to cancel several itineraries due to unusually low bookings. “Normally, these tours would be fully booked by now, but the uncertainty has made travelers hesitant,” Prather said. The operator estimated a potential revenue loss of up to $1 million.
Some parks have already started scaling back services. Yosemite National Park has paused its camping reservation rollout, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park has canceled guided tours. Other parks, such as Saguaro National Park and Effigy Mounds National Monument, have announced temporary closures of visitor centers on certain days. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will close access twice a week due to staff shortages.
Sunrise Tours, a Missouri-based travel company, reported receiving calls from concerned customers. Vice President Caleb Lawson noted that while no cancellations had been made yet, travelers were inquiring about alternatives. “We’re not jumping to conclusions, but we’re trying to assess what the real impact will be,” Lawson said. He cited concerns over longer entrance lines, closed visitor centers, and reduced emergency response capabilities.
Despite the uncertainty, major tour operators remain cautiously optimistic. Tauck, a travel company that has offered national park tours since 1925, has been in communication with hotel and park service partners. Company President Jeremy Palmer stated that discussions with contacts in Yosemite, Zion, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon national parks had alleviated some initial concerns. “There’s some disruption, but we’re not too worried at the moment,” Palmer said.
Similarly, Stephanie Brooks, vice president of product and operations for the Globus family of brands, noted that while lodging and dining services seem unaffected, reductions in park maintenance and staffing could pose challenges. “We anticipate some adjustments, but we’re prepared to modify our itineraries as needed,” she said.
The full impact of the job cuts remains uncertain, but many tour operators are closely monitoring the situation. With peak travel season approaching, they remain hopeful that the administration’s plan to rehire seasonal workers will help mitigate service disruptions. However, the long-term effects on tourism businesses, park operations, and gateway communities are yet to be fully understood.
For now, national park tour operators remain on high alert, adapting their plans as they navigate this evolving challenge.
