Park Visitor Management Platform For Safe and Sustainable Tourism
ParkPass is a booking platform for park agencies that want to make their destinations safer, more sustainable, more enjoyable, and more profitable.
Better, Safer Visitor Experience
STAGGER VISITORS IN THE AGE OF COVID-19
ParkPass is an efficient solution to introduce and manage visitor quotas for parks during the new reality of COVID 19 and those suffering from over-visitation. Operators can define limits for access points, time slots, or visitor types to stagger visitors, prioritize access for select populations and ensure physical distancing
PREPARE AND WELCOME VISITORS
Introduce automated pre-departure checklists for clear, consistent messaging so every visitor to your parks knows what to expect, and when to come - before they leave their house
IMPROVE SAFETY
ParkPass offers emergency notification tools for park operators. Contact current visitors instantly in case of park emergency, and share trip details with SAR teams if needed
CONTACT-LESS SYSTEM
Reduce reliance on physical infrastructure by moving to phone scan or tap functions and license plate recognition
Sustainable Growth
VISITORS IN THE RIGHT PLACES
ParkPass helps drive visitors from peak times and destinations to alternatives that can accommodate more visitors, or to less busy times. Multiple agencies can redirect visitor traffic to each other
FEWER CARS, LESS IMPACT
Park operators can differentiate between types of visitors, such as private car arrivals, private operator clients, public transit users, traditional land owners, local residents, and many others - and create rules for each to fit management priorities
ParkPass can also be used as a parking payment system
REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Increase compliance of sustainable park use such as leave no trace principles through pre-trip messaging.
REDUCE UNCONTROLLED ACCESS
Rather than simply closing parks, ParkPass allows agencies to manage visitation, reducing the likelihood of uncontrolled, disallowed access.
Economic Stability
CAPTURE MORE REVENUE
Visitors will be more willing to pay to access parks and outdoor spaces if they know they will be able to experience an uncrowded destination which allows for physical distancing
Send more visitors to lesser-known parks and off-peak times where spare capacity exists - and collect more revenue
INCREASE COMPLIANCE
ParkPass is a perfect solution for parks where checking every visitor on entrance is impractical, such as mixed development regions, marine parks and commercial operator-driven tourism
LOWER INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS
Reduce reliance on collecting entrance fees at physical park locations even with limited connectivity and remote locales with no Internet
VISITOR STATISTICS
ParkPass allow park operators to collect and analyze visitation data, survey visitors post-trip and continuously learn and improve
FEATURES
Tools to Prevent Over-Crowding
Help Visitors Discover New Places
Advanced License Plate Recognition
Automated, Contactless Entry
Day Use and Donation Collection
Tools to Increase Revenue
Pre and Post-Trip and Real time Messaging
Schedule Communication by Email or SMS
Full Pay Parking Management System
All You Need are a Few Signs
Analytics
Collect Registration Information and Send Post-Trip Surveys
Collaboration
Optimized to Help Agencies Work Together and Spread Tourism Benefits
Remote Area Functionality
Toll-Free Number Available and Integrates with Other Offline Tools
Use Existing Infrastructure
Adapt your Hardware or Introduce Low Cost Solutions- We'll Help
ABOUT
ParkPass was borne out of witnessing park agencies and operators struggle with existing tools to manage the expectations and experience of visitors to popular parks, while other parks are under-utilized. Through our award-winning sister project, Parkbus, we have worked with park agencies at all levels of government as well as private operators, and understand the challenges they face. That is why our platform is designed to help agencies work together, and has a PCI Compliant Point of Sale Application & Payment Processing System, with industry leading 256-bit encryption standard, and meets or exceeds all data privacy / FOIPPA requirements federally and provincially.
More people wanting access to public outdoor space and nature is a good thing. Let's work together to keep it that way.
ParkPass is a project of Vancouver-based Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST).
BEST is a non-profit charitable organization with a long history promoting sustainable tourism and transportation, through which we help build vibrant, inclusive communities. BEST offers innovative social enterprises, programs and services to encourage, promote and enable sustainable and active transportation choices.
BEST's programs include the award winning Parkbus initiative, The Bicycle Valet, Seniors Transportation Access and Resources (STAR), Living Streets and the BC Commuter Challenge, through which we engage with private, public and non-profit organizations to come up with solutions that work for everyone, on the ground.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our agency has a strong brand and we want to retain that image. How does ParkPass ensure this?
The platform does not need to be branded as ParkPass. Visitors will not see it as Parkpass. It can be added as a link from a regular park website and will be branded as the park’s website.
Is ParkPass an app you download?
No. People generally do not want to download more apps and many parks and other agencies already have their own apps- we can easily link ParkPass to those.
If it is not an app, how does it work?
It's an online platform that can be integrated into existing websites, or apps. Visitors pre-register online (on any device) and are emailed their ticket which have a qr code, barcode, ticket # or license plate number. Administrators access the platform online using any device. If using our innovative license plate recognition system, we can integrate your existing security or webcams for automated entry, or staff can take a photo of the license plate and the system will recognize the registration.
Our region has multiple parks and trails that are operated by different agencies. How can ParkPass help us coordinate better?
A: ParkPass was created to help disperse visitors from popular parks to parks that are less utilized, or from popular spaces within parks to less crowded areas or times. ParkPass allows people to see which times and places are busy and to find alternatives- visitors don’t tend to care which agency operates each park. Provided appropriate data sharing agreements are put in place, ParkPass can disperse across agencies’ parks, provide data analytics to see where people are coming from to each park, send out post-trip surveys to collect demographic information and more. If one agency is using ParkPass and another is using a different system (or no reservation system at all) the reservation link would simply transfer the visitor out to a third party reservation system or information webpage.
As a public agency, we have to be very careful with collecting public data. How does ParkPass ensure data is safe and private?
ParkPass meets or exceeds all data privacy/FOIPPA requirements both federally and provincially in Canada. Our Point of Sale Application & Payment Processing System is PCI complaint, with industry leading 256-bit encryption standard. Our team members are extremely well-versed in data privacy concerns.
What if we want to start out with some features and later try others?
No problem. We’re happy to start small and adapt features to your agency or park as they become relevant. ParkPass is also a dynamic system and improvements are made continuously for those that want them.
Our region has spotty cell and internet connection. How will that affect the system?
There is only a small subset of cases where cellphone connection is a must. For locations with limited connectivity (no internet, but phone still possible) there is an option to make reservations via 1-800 number. Visitors can also make actual reservations or registrations in advance using internet connection - but can carry their e-ticket inside their phone (as part of an e-wallet) or as a PDF attachment, or as a screenshot. Lastly park staff can rely on offline verification methods to check validity of passes (based on reservation numbers or license plates that can be printed or pre-saved on mobile devices).
Will using ParkPass help us address some of the challenges COVID-19 has brought?
Yes. Outdoor spaces will need a management system in place to provide outdoor access that is especially critical right now. People are more likely to plan their outings now and will be more willing than ever to reserve a visit when they know their destination will be less busy and allow for them to safely keep their distance. Visitors can be screened and reminded of rules and regulations before and during their visit and the ParkPass system eliminates need for touching of physical infrastructure.
How much does it cost to use ParkPass?
It depends on the scale of use, and how many features you want to use and any extra customization. Contact us to discuss how we can make ParkPass work for your agency. Contact us for more information.
Will using the system eliminate people showing up without reservation?
That is up to you. ParkPass can be either voluntary or mandatory, for different parks, different agencies, or even for different areas within the park.
If my park has 20 trails within it, is it possible to see how many people in the park, and where in real time?
Yes. The system displays real time conditions based on location of people checking in/registering for those trails. You can also choose to make this available to the public so they can see which trails are busy and act accordingly.
Are visitors required to set a profile to access ParkPass? Or do they just make a booking using a link in an email or on the website?
Visitors do not need a profile to get a pass. Passholders can update and edit existing reservations as they want, and there is no limit on communication sent out to visitors by agencies. Basic profiles, such as for annual pass holders, are easy to implement, but if you want advanced features for the users, we would have to work with you on that.
What happens if a visitor has their pass on their phone and it runs out of battery before they show up?
There are many different options you can implement according to your own policy and what level of access you want to give to frontline staff. Passes can be looked up by postal code, email address, or license plate and any smartphone can scan the license plate to see if the person is registered and should be checked in. In places with no cell reception, gate house staff can have a list on their phone or print the list- it is manual but it works for spot checks.
Can people make a reservation for a vehicle ahead of time, without entering a license plate number in case they don’t know it, such as in the case of borrowing a car, renting a car, using carshare?
Yes, they can and they can edit their registration with the license plate before they arrive.
How many users can use the backend? Are there different levels of access we can assign?
There is no limit on the number of back end users/administrators. Yes, we have different levels of access and can disable/enable features for different users.
PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
BOOKING CARES FUND
In December 2018, ParkPass became one of seven projects from around the world accepted into Booking.com's Booking Cares Fund.
Together with the Booking Booster Program and the Booking Cares Labs, the Booking Cares Fund sits alongside Booking.com’s internal volunteer program, where employees have long partnered with local organizations on projects that help improve destinations worldwide. Together these initiatives make up and further expand Booking.com’s commitment to make a positive impact on the global tourism industry. For more information about upcoming programs and opportunities, please visit the Booking Cares website.
Established in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com B.V. has grown from a small Dutch start-up to one of the largest travel e-commerce companies in the world. Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com now employs more than 17,000 employees in over 200 offices in 70 countries worldwide.
AdventureSmart BC
AdventureSmart, and its suite of five programs, is a national prevention program focused on reaching Canadians, and visitors to Canada, who participate in outdoor recreational activities.
TEAM
Boris Issaev
Boris is the co-founder and CEO of the award-winning Parkbus initiative, the world’s first dedicated city-to-park bus service that expanded across Canada and inspired similar initiatives around the world.
Boris won numerous awards for his work, which was featured by over 200 publications including the National Geographic.
Boris holds an MBA as well as a computer science degrees.
Vitaly Volovich
Vitaly is a data scientist and software engineer who architected, automated and deployed intricate analytics solutions, and complex distributed environments that handle billions of transactions every day.
He is a key advisor for several companies, including Parkbus, on technology, automation, scalability and security.
Stephanie Williams
Stephanie is the Director of Operations and Strategy and the former General Manager of BEST.
Stephanie has extensive experience developing social enterprises and working with government, nonprofit and private organizations. She holds a Masters of Community Development and a Bachelors in Human Geography.
ADVISORS
Alan Latourelle
CEO of Parks Canada (2002-2015), Order of Canada (2018)
Maike Lieverscheidt
Global Change Manager at Booking.com, former senior manager at Expedia Inc., Yahoo
Justin Ellis
Senior Associate at RC Strategies + PERC, former Director with Leave No Trace Canada, former Manager of Regional Planning for Alberta Province
Michael Bertuzzi
Professor and program coordinator at School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts at Centennial College. Former Project Manager of Visitor Services, Economic Development & Culture, City of Toronto
Lindsay Young
Lindsay is a Senior Brand Manager for New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC). Phocuswright Young Leaders Class of 35 Under 35.
Rachel Dodds
Internationally acclaimed expert on sustainable tourism, Ryerson University Professor, past Director of Tourism and Hospitality program
Justin Lafontaine
Founder at Ontario BikeTrain, and Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab.
Olya Irzak
Olya is a co-founder of the Frost Methane, former lead at Google Energy and Google X.
Rochelle Turner
Rochelle is Director of Research at the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Roy Firestein
Roy is one of Canada's top cybersecurity experts and is a Chief Product Officer at Cycura Inc .
Michael McCreesh
Michael is the project manager of Ontario By Bike, Ontario's leader in bicycle tourism development.
CONTACT US
For use cases, real-world examples, pricing for your agency or to schedule a live demo.
By email
By phone
(+1) 647 886-0984 ParkPass
(+1) 604-669-2860 BEST
Our Address
305 – 268 Keefer Street (Sun Wah Centre)
Vancouver BC Canada V6A 1X5