A bit of a hue and cry has been raised about travel companies and scalpers snapping up camping reservations on B.C.'s Discover Camping Reservation Service.
It seems unfair that B.C. residents lose out on their favourite camp spots because people who are using the online system to their advantage snag them all first. The province apparently isn't worried because these resellers provide an important role in providing tourism services.
According to the latest annual report on B.C. parks, by far most (75%) of reservations go to B.C. residents, with Albertans snapping up 14%, the rest of Canada and the U.S. at 3% each and overseas campers at 5%. The park service also has been continually improving the system but there is the fear that camping will only be for the rich, who can pay top dollar.
Perhaps the best way around this would be to charge non-residents or commercial operators an additional transaction fee and use the funds to create more camping spots.
No one should be barred from enjoying B.C.'s beautiful outdoors.
