Commercial tour guides have been banned in certain areas of Liberty Island and Ellis Island by the United States' National Park Service, citing overcrowding and site degradation at New York's most popular tourist sites.
"From 16 May the NPS will introduce a ban on commercial private tours from certain areas, including the statue’s sixth-floor outdoor observation deck, the new Statue of Liberty Museum (which opens the day the ban comes into effect) and the National Museum of Immigration at Ellis Island. Commercial tour guides are still welcome to the islands, just not at these particularly overcrowded spaces," Lonely Planet reported.
A spokesperson for NPS said commercial tours have increased by 600% in the last decade (roughly 4.5 million people visit each year) and it's led to "safety concerns and has severely degraded the visitor experience in the park".
By restricting private tours, the park officials hope to improve the visitor experience and better manage traffic flow — similar measures are already in place at some of the most popular American tourist attractions, such as the 9/11 Memorial Museum, Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia and Alcatraz in San Francisco.
But don't fret! You can still visit these sites on your own — a Pedestal Reserve Ticket is available from Statue Cruises, the official ticket seller (for USD $18.50 or about R265). The rate includes round-trip ferry access and a self-guided audio tour.
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Our expert travel agents are keen to help book your trip — self-guided or otherwise! Visit our website to find the agency nearest you, or call + 27 (0)861 47 48 49.
