The missive by the SRDF on May 26, which declared the increase, outlined that the new fee structure would apply to non-residents of the island and not locals.

The statement read in part, “The SRDF announces a temporary hold on the proposed adjustments to fees related to its managed sites and jetty operations. This decision reflects SRDF’s commitment to ongoing dialogue with key tourism stakeholders as the Foundation works to ensure that its policies remain responsive to the evolving needs of the sector.”

This change comes as stakeholders have voiced dissatisfaction with the proposed fee increases. One vendor, who spoke with the media anonymously, criticised the move, stating that prior fee increases have not borne much fruit for the park. A major concern outlined was the state of washroom facilities.

“To get down to the bath, the steps are horrible. It is difficult for persons that are disabled to get down there.  When you get visitors coming to a place like that after a long drive, by the time they get to the volcano, the first place they would want to go to  is the toilet, and the toilets are not  clean. When they raised the fee from 5 US, they raised it to 10 US,” the vendor said.

The SRDF says that it will conduct further consultations and reviews before enacting any further fee increases: “Considering recent developments, there is a recognized need for a broader conversation about rescue arrangements, docking policies, charging structures, and operational protocols.”