Tourists in the Black Forest struggle with poor service due to insufficient funds.

Cash-Only Policy at Black Forest National Park Center Causes Surprise Among International Visitors

The Black Forest National Park Center, a popular attraction for tourists and day visitors, has been causing a bit of a stir among its international guests due to its cash-only policy for admission.

Maria Ackermann, a hut manager with 20 years of experience, doesn't see the cash-only policy as a major issue for regular customers. However, Gabriele Herold, an employee at the National Park Center, states that most people understand the policy, but occasionally, people are surprised or annoyed.

Ursula Pütz, the director of the visitor center, sees this as a temporary solution and is grateful for the nearby souvenir shop that provides a service for visitors to withdraw cash using an EC or credit card. The National Park is currently exploring options to restore digital payment options for its visitors.

The National Park Center, which serves as a central hub for tourists and day visitors, attracts around 60,000 visitors annually. Its spectacular architecture and changing exhibitions draw in guests from France, Spain, Holland, Scandinavia, and the USA. However, many of these tourists find cash payment unusual.

An American couple reported that they cannot remember any museum in the USA asking for cash. At some huts in the Black Forest, cash is the only payment option, such as the Seibelseckle Resthouse. During holidays and poor weather, queues can form at the cash desk of the National Park Center as visitors scramble to pay for their admission.

A white sign at the cash desk of the National Park Center indicates "Cash only - No credit cards". The original contract with a payment service provider for on-site card payments at the National Park Visitor Center was terminated due to contractual difficulties. The current payment service provider for the Nationalparkzentrum Ruhestein, which currently does not offer credit card payment services, is not explicitly mentioned in the available search results.

On a day trip, a group of 25 visitors from the Catholic Rural Youth from Bad Peterstal had to use their association's cash box when they found out that they could only pay for the entrance in cash at the National Park Center. During busy periods, this can lead to delays and inconvenience for both visitors and staff.

Despite the occasional frustration, the National Park Center remains a popular destination for tourists and day visitors. The cash-only policy is seen as a temporary solution while the National Park continues to explore options for restoring digital payment options. In the meantime, visitors are advised to carry cash when visiting the Black Forest National Park Center.

Tourists in the Black Forest struggle with poor service due to insufficient funds.