State Parks Department Seeks New Revenues In Light Of Budget Cuts

By Riis Valcho
Published: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 - 9:48am

The Arizona Parks Department is reaching out to a private hospitality consulting firm to help increase revenues.

The department has awarded Massachusetts-based Capital Hotel Management a $120,000 contract. The company will evaluate park operations and boost revenues from concessions offered at individual parks.

Park Director Bryan Martyn said a goal is to to change the way the Parks Department is viewed by lawmakers.

“I can’t rely on the economies or the personalities that reside over at the Capitol, in the legislature or the governor’s office. I need to make sound business decisions for today, the three, and five, and 10 year plan for this agency," Martyn said.

The department has been hit hard by budget cuts due to the state’s poor economy in recent years. It has had to find creative ways to keep parks and historical sites open by asking cities and towns to foot the bill for their local state park.

Martyn says a business mindset is needed at the state agency to operate the department more efficiently.