WHEREAS over the past several years the Alberta government has closed, removed, or privatized roadside campgrounds;AND WHEREAS Albertas tourism industry continues to experience an increase in visitor numbers and spending;AND WHEREAS tourists and Albertans require a place to stop, rest and enjoy the countryside along our highways;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AAMDC urge the Government of Alberta to provide permanent funding for the development and enhancement of roadside day-use campgrounds and rest stops to ensure the motoring public has an opportunity to stop and enjoy the province of Alberta.

Over the past several years the Government of Alberta has closed and removed a number of roadside campgrounds along Highway #43. One of the most frequent complaints the Tourist Information Booth in Valleyview receives is that there is no place to stop and rest or camp along the highways in Alberta. Over 28,100 vehicles stop and register at Valleyview every year. This is only a small percentage of the actual number of vehicles traveling Highway #43.In 1999 Alberta Economic Development indicated that tourism revenues for Alberta reached over $4 billion. The number of visitors from the United States who spent at least one night in Alberta is over 1 million, and people from overseas countries staying in Alberta were over 750,000.Tourism is a major industry in Alberta and it is important for the Province of Alberta to reinvest in the highway campgrounds, thus providing a much needed service to the motoring public. Roadside campgrounds have all but been eliminated, yet it is recognized that well-rested travellers make safer drivers.

The only resolution currently in effect which deals with a similar issue is Resolution 14-98S, endorsed at the spring 1998 convention. Resolution 14-98S calls on the Government of Alberta to retain and fund provincial recreation areas.