Parks Canada is considering visitor restrictions for the Lake Louise area in Banff National Park to address the surge in tourism. Visitor numbers have increased by 31% over the past decade, with the 2023 season breaking records.
A survey, open from June 17 to July 28, is gathering feedback from Canadians as part of the plan’s first phase.
To manage this influx, Parks Canada is developing a visitor-use management plan for Lake Louise. The initiative aims to balance tourism, ecological preservation, and visitor experience.
According to an article published by Global News Canada, Dwight Bourdin from Parks Canada emphasized the importance of public input, noting that no decisions have been made yet as they are currently in an information-gathering stage to determine the conditions Canadians want for the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake area.
“What are our capacities? What are our pressures? What is a quality visitor experience up there? So that’s why we want to hear from residents, Canadians, to really engage in this survey so that we’re hearing them and managing accordingly,” Bourdin explained.
The tourism surge has brought challenges. Reports indicate rising pollution, overcrowding, and human-wildlife conflicts. In response, Banff has implemented an environmental master plan. Local tourism reports that this plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve zero human-big mammal conflict incidents.
Parks Canada’s Zoe Arnold noted that visitors have expressed “general frustration”, as indicated through emails and meetings with stakeholders, regarding their inability to access their intended destinations.
She explained that measures such as traffic control, staff cycling vehicles through full parking lots, and a shuttle reservation system limit the number of available shuttle seats per day.
The second phase of Parks Canada’s plan, starting later this year, will explore strategies including visitor restrictions, enhanced shuttle services, and paid parking.
Parks Canada’s approach underscores the importance of proactive visitor management and continuous consultation with guests and stakeholders. By engaging in public surveys and gathering feedback, private campground operators, developers, and RV park owners can develop strategies to preserve ecological integrity and develop solutions to manage increased visitation effectively.