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Campers booked a record number of campsites before noon on the opening day for Manitoba’s parks reservations, surpassing the number made by the end of the day last year, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said today.

 

A total of 8,016 reservations were made in record time today due in part to improvements made to the service this winter including a new electronic queuing service developed by a Manitoba company. The new system eased pressure on the system and showed service users where they are in line. Last year, 7,906 reservations were made by midnight on the first day the reservations service was open.

 

“Manitobans love the outdoors and we are providing them with more opportunities to enjoy better summer living,” Struthers said. “The online reservation service continues to be the most popular method of obtaining a reservation and is supported by the call centre for the customers who prefer to talk with an agent.”

 

The first day of campsite reservations creates an intense demand for service in a short period of time. Staff from the departments of Conservation and Science, Technology, Energy and Mines have worked to improve opening day performance and the overall reservation experience for the customer.

 

“This made-in-Manitoba Parks Reservation Service has proven itself a great success,” Struthers said. “The refinements made to the system over the years continue to improve the technical performance of the service and reflect the comments made by users.”

 

In 2007, more than 50,000 reservations were made for provincial campsite, cabin, yurt and group-use facilities.  Approximately five million people visit Manitoba’s parks each summer.

 

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