Utah resort proprietor to run Zion concessions, marking 1st change in 5 a long time

SPRINGDALE, Washington County — Zion Nationwide Park is making its first concessioner change in over 50 years.

Park officers introduced Tuesday they’ve chosen Vacation spot Zion Lodge, LLC to function meals, beverage, retail and lodging providers starting in 2025, following a concession contract bidding course of that started in September. It’ll exchange Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Inc., which has operated the park’s concession providers since 1972.

Phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed, aside from it is a 10-year contract. The change is not anticipated to affect guests, however the concessions providers are definitely a noticeable a part of the park.

“The operation of the Zion Lodge concession contract will present a good portion of the providers guests search on the park and is vital to offering a constructive customer expertise,” park officers stated in an announcement.

Vacation spot Zion Lodge is a subsidiary of Park Metropolis-based Powdr, which owns and operates a number of ski, snowboard and different outside recreation resorts scattered throughout North America — and, quickly, Australia. These embody Snowbird and Woodward Park Metropolis in Utah.

Powdr CEO Justin Sibley stated in an announcement the corporate is “honored and excited” to tackle Zion Nationwide Park concessions. The corporate stated it plans to “improve Zion’s choices” by upgrading the park’s lodging amenities, increasing “sustainable” meals and beverage choices and providing new, “progressive” academic applications concerning the park’s geology, ecology and cultural historical past.

The adjustments are anticipated to supply new job alternatives within the area, although, it is unclear what number of new jobs the change will create.

“Zion is a real nationwide treasure and we’re dedicated to being accountable stewards of this exceptional panorama,” Sibley added. “By way of our collaborative partnership with the Nationwide Park Service, we’ll work to reinforce the customer expertise whereas minimizing our affect on the atmosphere.”

Xanterra operates providers at eight different U.S. parks, together with Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone nationwide parks.

Greater than 4.6 million individuals visited Zion Nationwide Park final yr, making it the third-most visited nationwide park in 2023. It surpassed 5 million visits for the primary time in 2021.