April 29, 2009 Albertans can reserve online at 25 provincial campgrounds Edmonton... Booking your summer holiday could be just a mouse click away with Alberta’s new online campground reservation service. Starting May 1, reservations for over 2800 campsites in 25 popular campgrounds can be made online at www.Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca. “Alberta’s new online reservation service provides peace of mind to travellers who won’t have to take their chances on finding a campsite,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “It will make our provincial campgrounds easier to access.” In a 2007 survey of Alberta campers, nearly 80 per cent said they prefer to use the internet to research campsites. Before making a reservation online, visitors can select an individual campsite on a map, research campsite size and features such as nearby trails, firepit location, and proximity to washrooms. The website provides a 360-degree panoramic view of each campsite and campground. “Today’s announcement represents just the beginning of our new online campground reservation service,” said Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister Cindy Ady. “For this first year, we chose some of our most popular campgrounds, many of which are close to major cities and highways. We plan on adding more campgrounds to the online service in the future.” The province is investing $8.4 million in the first phase of the new online campground reservation service, and in a new dedicated contact centre to support the online service. Costs of the service include the development of maps, panoramic photography and other visuals for the campsites, as well as expanding the SuperNet to include the campgrounds on the reservation system “This is a great example of how our government is working to make more services available online and using the SuperNet to do it,” said Service Alberta Minister Heather Klimchuk. “And it also allows those who prefer to talk to a real person to book their campsite over the phone. It’s the best of both worlds and it’s a huge step forward for camping in our province.” It will cost approximately $1.8 million to operate the new reservation service in 2009/2010. This includes maintaining the reservation service, increasing permit booth operations in the parks and extending contact centre hours. The online campground reservation service is one of the priority actions outlined in Alberta’s Plan for Parks. This new plan will guide the management of provincial parks by working with Albertans to balance conservation and recreation objectives for the parks. -30- Backgrounder: List of campgrounds taking online reservations Backgrounder: List of campgrounds taking online reservations Media inquiries may be directed to: Camille Weleschuk, Tourism, Parks and Recreation 780-427-2206 [email protected] To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. April 29, 2009 Campsites participating in Alberta's new online campground reservation service The new online campground reservation service will begin operating May 1st at 9 a.m. Reservations can be made online at www.Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca at the following 25 provincial campgrounds: Dinosaur Provincial Park near Brooks Tillebrook Provincial Park near Brooks Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park near Milk River Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park near Medicine Hat: Beaver Creek Elkwater Ferguson Hill Firerock Lodgepole Lakeview Old Baldy Kananaskis Country: Bow Valley McLean Creek Boulton Creek Miquelon Lake Provincial Park near Camrose Jarvis Bay Provincial Park on Sylvan Lake Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park near Slave Lake: Marten River Dunvegan Provincial Park near Fairview Young’s Point Provincial Park near Valleyview Pembina River Provincial Park near Stony Plain Moose Lake Provincial Park near Bonnyville Franchere Bay Provincial Recreation Area near Bonnyville Cross Lake Provincial Park near Westlock Long Lake Provincial Park near Boyle Saskatoon Island Provincial Park near Grande Prairie William A Switzer Provincial Park near Hinton: Gregg Lake A pre-recorded demonstration of the new service is temporarily available at www.tpr.alberta.ca/newsroom/multimedia.aspx. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Camille Weleschuk, Tourism, Parks and Recreation 780-427-2206 [email protected] To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. Alberta Government | Newsroom | Ministries Listing | Tourism, Parks and Recreation Home Page | News Releases | Top of Page | Send us your comments or questions Copyright(©) 2009 Government of Alberta .