I read with interest the article in Friday's paper stating that the casino/hotel is not allowing RVs to park on their property overnight. This is apparently to aid the private RV parks. Whose business plan have these RV park operators been studying? Do they think, for a minute, that making Prince George less welcoming to RVs is going to put more rigs at their gates?
Prince George is in a unique geographical location with two major routes from the lower 49 states to Alaska but Prince George has not been a shinning star on the RV map for many years. The city has chosen to ignore or at least avoid having any facilities for these visitors. Unlike our city neighbors, there are no city dump stations, no fresh water fill stations and no downtown parking.
The local private RV parks would do well to spend more of their time and energies promoting their business rather than whining and counting rigs that are parked in Walmart or at the casino. A search of popular RV blogs do not paint a pretty picture with words such as "rude, disrespectful and unaccommodating" being used in reference to some of these facilities. In fact, some publications suggest passing by the city altogether.
I, and I don't believe I stand alone, have certain RV parks in the vicinity that I simply schedule around. These facilities have treated me so badly that I will not even consider giving them a second try.
Most businesses understand that if you want customers to come to your facilities, you, the business owner, have to make your business inviting. I believe the rule reads something like this, "If you have a good experience you tell two others, if you have a bad experience you tell seven."
Something to think about.
Bill McFarlin,
Prince George
