Glimmer of hope in the U.S. shutdown? Five national parks in Utah set to re-open doors

Lady Luck may be smiling on tourists due to travel to Utah next week after it was announced that five of the region's national parks will re-open despite the ongoing U.S. shutdown.
Utah representatives have hammered out a deal with the Department of the Interior that will see five national parks, two national monuments and a national recreation area open their doors for ten days, at a cost of $1.67million (£1.04million).

Wander once more among the majesty of Bryce: One of Utah's most popular parks Bryce Canyon will re-open to the public

Although the individual websites for each park still carry no information about the impending openings, officials have said that Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Zion, Capitol Reef and Arches will soon be allowing tourists back through the doors.
Utah Governor Gary R Herbert said: “Utah’s national parks are the backbone of many rural economies and hard-working Utahns are paying a heavy price for this shutdown.
“I commend Secretary Jewell for being open to Utah’s solution, and the world should know Utah is open for business and visitors are welcome.”

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National monuments Cedar Breaks, Glen Canyon and a national recreation area, National Bridges will also re-open.
Ten days after a stand-off in Congress over new budget agreements, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees has looked at how the country's tourism industry is being affected. All but essential government services have been shut down, meaning the 401 national parks, from the Grand Canyon to Yosemite and Yellowstone, are closed to the public.

Protests: Locals complain about the Grand Canyon National Park closure which is costing the community in lost tourism

It was reported yesterday that America's national parks are losing 715,000 visitors and £76million (£48million) a day, according to a study looking into the effects of the partial government shutdown.
It is hoped that Utah's negotiating skills may trickle to other destinations and big-hitting tourist attractions such as the Grand Canyon could soon be open again. Residents from the nearby town of Tusayan gathered at the park's entrance on Wednesday to protest at the closure.
Yesterday, Department for Interior spokesperson Blake Androff said in a statement on the doi.gov/shutdown website that Interior Secretary Sally Jewell: "will consider agreements with Governors who indicate an interest and ability to fully fund National Park Service personnel to re-open national parks in their states."
The statement continued: "The Interior Department will begin conversations about how to proceed as expeditiously as current limited resources allow. We continue to call on Congress to act swiftly to enact appropriations for the entire government so that we can re-open all 401 national parks for the American people."