Apple Seeks Payments Boost on Parks Trails

Apple is celebrating America’s national parks with a new promotion in which the company will donate a dollar to the National Park Foundation for every purchase on its Apple Store app, apple.com, or in physical Apple stores using its Apple Pay digital payment platform.

Going a few steps further, on July 15th, Apple Watch users can get special national parks-themed Messages stickers and awards if they complete a 3.5-mile trek – a distance equivalent to “a hike from Old Faithful to Mallard Lake in Yellowstone National Park,” according to a statement from the company.

The White House first announced government authorities would accept Apple Pay payments at national parks in early 2015, with most now accepting such payments. Commenting on the parks promotions, Apple CEO Tim Cook said “America’s national parks are an inspiration to us at Apple, and we know they are as important to many of our customers as they are to us.”

The effort could help to give a little boost to Apple Pay use as many Americans take summer holidays in the country’s parks. Meanwhile, additional bank and credit union support could help, too, with 21 additional US-based institutions joining Apple’s already extensive roster.

Sources: Apple, 9to5Mac