Scholars suggest charging NT$30-200 for national park access

Taiwan's National Park Headquarters is considering implementing entrance fees for its ecological protection areas, a move aimed at generating funds for conservation efforts and scientific research. This proposal aligns with global practices where national parks often charge admission to support their operational and environmental protection mandates.

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The fee standard should be based on different places charging different prices; the past tourism development regulations also charged tourism conservation fees for areas like tourist areas, specific scenic areas, and natural and humanistic ecological landscape areas, setting fee standards based on annual tourist numbers, from 30 to 200 yuan.

Academics have weighed in on the proposed fee structure, suggesting a differentiated approach. Huang Cheng-tsung, an associate professor of tourism at Providence University, recommends a tiered pricing system that varies by location and the intensity of visitor impact. He proposes fees ranging from NT$30 to NT$200, drawing parallels with existing tourism regulations that charge conservation fees based on visitor numbers and the environmental sensitivity of different zones.

Wu Hsing-ju, an assistant professor in forestry at Pingtung University of Science and Technology, supports the idea, stating that Taiwan should have adopted such measures long ago. She stresses the importance of transparency regarding the use of collected funds, suggesting that clear communication about how fees contribute to visitor safety and wildlife conservation would increase public acceptance. She also noted that a portion of the funds could be allocated to research, furthering the parks' core mission of nature preservation.

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It is very much in favor of user pays, but the details must be done well. The association reminds that there are 'double-skinning' problems such as duplicate charges for entrance fees and mountain hut fees, differences between foreigners and locals, principles for fund management and use, and how business resources are allocated, such as the proportion of trail maintenance and ecological surveys, which must be clear and transparent.

Mountain organizations generally agree with the principle of user pays but caution that robust supporting measures are crucial. The Chinese Taipei Mountain Association highlights potential issues such as duplicate charges for entry and mountain hut fees, differing rates for foreign and domestic visitors, and the need for clear principles governing fund management and resource allocation between trail maintenance, ecological surveys, and other services. They advocate for a transparent system that clearly explains the rationale behind the fees, their specific uses, and oversight mechanisms before implementation.

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In principle, we support 'user pays,' but it must be based on the premise of clarity, transparency, and dedicated use, and used for management and environmental impacts generated after visitors enter the mountains and forests, including trail and path inspection and maintenance, improvement of mountain houses and campsites, toilet and excreta treatment, garbage and kitchen waste management, environmental monitoring, mountain friend safety education, and patrol personnel support.