Better Management of National Park Concessions Can Improve Services Provided to the Public

Gao ID: CED-80-102 July 31, 1980

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the management of concession operations by the National Park Service (NPS).

GAO found that concessioner performance evaluation would be more effective if visitors' opinions and comments were used in appraising concessioner performance. Existing concessioners already have a competitive advantage over others who want to operate in the parks, they do not need additional legal advantages. By using single concessioners to provide the services in a park, NPS has limited its options for requiring improvement without seriously disrupting service to the public. As a result, NPS does not take necessary corrective actions. GAO also found that concession rates are not always studied, justified, or documented before approval, and the quality of facilities is given little or no consideration in approving the rates.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: James Duffus Iii Team: General Accounting Office: Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division Phone: (202) 512-7756


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