| TENAYA LODGE AT YOSEMITE, Dec. 17, 1999 -- The season's
first snows are ready to carpet the forest surrounding Tenaya Lodge at
Yosemite. With winter at the resort's doorstep, Tenaya Lodge general
manager Paul Ratchford -- true to his nature -- is already looking ahead
to the Millennium's first spring and summer seasons.
"For all the wonderful technological advances of the 20th century, it
is ultimately comforting to know that wildflowers will cover the ground
and waterfalls will thunder in 2000 just like they did in 1900," muses
Mr. Ratchford. "I cherish our role in providing luxurious accommodation
for visitors in pursuit of the beauty and restorative quality of nature
abundantly present here at Yosemite," he adds.
An important issue championed by Mr. Ratchford and the rest of Yosemite's
gateway tourism leaders is how to preserve the unique qualities of
Yosemite National Park while maintaining reasonable access to the Park.
Conflicting media interpretations surrounding the Yosemite General Management
Plan and its implementation have contributed to mounting public concern.
"We were recently reassured by Yosemite National Park Superintendent
David Mihalic that automobiles will continue to be allowed to enter the
Park," says Mr. Ratchford. "The 1980 General Management Plan and
soon to be released updated Valley Implementation Plan should not call
for the elimination of cars from the Park. Superintendent Mihalic has made
it clear that reducing seasonal congestion in Yosemite Valley requires
partnership between gateway communities and Park management, and that vehicle
access, while managed at peak visitation, will still be an option for visitors.
"For a resort property located less than two miles from Yosemite's most
popular access point, this is a very welcome affirmation," Mr. Ratchford
adds.
| Tenaya Lodge embraces the specific goals of reclaiming
priceless beauty, markedly reducing traffic congestion, allowing natural
processes to prevail, reducing crowding and promoting visitor understanding
that are keynotes of the Yosemite General Management Plan.
Also highly valued by the lodge is the right of access for Americans and
for the increasing number of international visitors to one of the National
Park System's most dramatic destinations.
Ten million visitors drive through Great Smokey National Park each year,
more than twice the number of annual visitors to Yosemite, yet Great Smokey
has no ban on vehicles. "Sensible, sustainable tourism management
-- not bans and black-outs -- is |
The Grand Lobby
Tenaya Lodge
|
the answer. Improving the Yosemite experience for all visitors should
be a goal shared by those who will eventually shape the future of our National
Parks," Mr. Ratchford concludes.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is committed to providing its guests with guaranteed
access to the Yosemite National Park's wonders, including the lesser-visited
locales off the valley floor. Tenaya Lodge's practice of environmentally-sound
tourism is consistent and complementary to the sustainability of Yosemite
National Park through the 21st century and beyond.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is a Destination Hotels and Resorts property.
Built in 1990 and completely renovated in 1998-99, Tenaya Lodge is a perennial
winner of the AAA's prestigious Four Diamond rating. |
