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National Park visitor spending contributes $40 billion to U.S. economy
By Jeaneane Payne
Report finds 2018 spending supported 329,000 jobs in
hotels, restaurants, transportation, recreation
Texas might be much bigger in size than Tennessee, but 9.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $653 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Tennessee while only 5.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $303 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Texas.
Yosemite National Park; image by Jeaneane Payne
As the summer vacation and travel seasons opens, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced today that visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2018 resulted in a $40.1 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 329,000 jobs.
According to the annual National Park Service report, 2018 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, more than 318 million visitors spent $20.2 billion in communities within 60 miles of a park in the National Park System. Of the 329,000 jobs supported by visitor spending, more than 268,000 jobs exist in the park gateway communities.
“This report emphasizes the tremendous impact the national parks have on our nation’s economy and underscores the need to fulfill President Trump's plan to rebuild park infrastructure,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “With 419 sites, and at least one in every state, our national parks continue to provide visitors, both local and destination, with innumerous recreational, inspirational, and world-class experiences.”
“National parks with their iconic natural, cultural and historic landscapes represent the heart and soul of America,” said National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith. “They are also a vital part of our nation’s economy, especially for park gateway communities where millions of visitors each year find a place to sleep and eat, hire outfitters and guides and make use of other local services that help drive a vibrant tourism and outdoor recreation industry.”
Economic benefits from visitor spending increased by $2 billion and total output increased by $4.3 billion in comparison to 2017.
As a part of the report, visitor surveys were conducted at 19 parks with the results indicating that people spent more time in the parks, stayed longer in gateway communities and spent more money during their visits.
Visitation varies across the National Park System, from big parks like Blue Ridge Parkway to Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Montana. Blue Ridge attracted 14.6 million people who spent more than $1 billion and supported more than 15,900 jobs. Grant Kohrs Ranch drew more than 26,000 visitors who spent more than $1.5 million in the area and supported 25 local jobs.
Lodging expenses account for the largest share of visitor spending totaling nearly $6.8 billion in 2018. Food expenses are the second largest spending area with visitors spending $4 billion in restaurants and bars and another $1.4 billion at grocery and convenience stores.
The peer-reviewed economics report was prepared by economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Egan Cornachione of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service. It includes information by parks and by states on visitor spending, the number of jobs supported by visitor spending and other statistics.
Economic Contributions to the National Economy
In 2018, 318 million park visitors spent an estimated $20.2 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands across the country. These expenditures supported a total of 329 thousand jobs, $13.6 billion in labor income, $23.4 billion in value added, and $40.1 billion in economic output in the national economy.
Visitor Spending
Economic Contributions to the National Economy
In 2018, 318 million park visitors spent an estimated $20.2 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands across the country. These expenditures supported a total of 329 thousand jobs, $13.6 billion in labor income, $23.4 billion in value added, and $40.1 billion in economic output in the national economy.
Jobs
Labor Income
Value Added
Economic Output
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - the most visited national park in America
Image by Jeaneane Payne
Economic Contributions to the Tennessee Economy
In 2018, 9.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $653 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Tennessee. These expenditures supported a total of 8,870 jobs, $322 million in labor income, $542 million in value added, and $904 million in economic output in the Tennessee economy.
Visitor Spending
Jobs
Labor Income
Value Added
Economic Output
Economic Contributions by State - Visitor Spending
Alabama - 1.0 million park visitors spent an estimated $45.0 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Alabama. These expenditures supported a total of 679 jobs, $17.8 million in labor income, $30.5 million in value added, and $55.9 million in economic output in the Alabama economy.
Alaska - 2.9 million park visitors spent an estimated $1.4 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Alaska. These expenditures supported a total of 17.8 thousand jobs, $658 million in labor income, $1.2 billion in value added, and $2.0 billion in economic output in the Alaska economy.
American Samoa - 28.6 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $1.7 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in America Samoa. These expenditures supported a total of 18 jobs, $784 thousand in labor income, $1.4 million in value added, and $2.2 million in economic output in the America Samoa economy.
Arizona - 12.9 million park visitors spent an estimated $1.3 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Arizona. These expenditures supported a total of 19.8 thousand jobs, $700 million in labor income, $1.2 billion in value added, and $2.1 billion in economic output in the Arizona economy.
Arkansas - 3.2 million park visitors spent an estimated $178 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Arkansas. These expenditures supported a total of 2,690 jobs, $64.4 million in labor income, $120 million in value added, and $222 million in economic output in the Arkansas economy.
California - 39.9 million park visitors spent an estimated $2.7 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in California. These expenditures supported a total of 35.7 thousand jobs, $1.6 billion in labor income, $2.7 billion in value added, and $4.2 billion in economic output in the California economy.
Colorado - 7.6 million park visitors spent an estimated $497 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Colorado. These expenditures supported a total of 7,100 jobs, $258 million in labor income, $446 million in value added, and $743 million in economic output in the Colorado economy.
Connecticut - 35.4 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $2.1 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Connecticut. These expenditures supported a total of 25 jobs, $1.1 million in labor income, $1.8 million in value added, and $2.8 million in economic output in the Connecticut economy.
District of Columbia - 40.2 million park visitors spent an estimated $768 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in District of Columbia. These expenditures supported a total of 6,750 jobs, $353 million in labor income, $586 million in value added, and $833 million in economic output in the District of Columbia economy.
Florida - 9.6 million park visitors spent an estimated $530 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Florida. These expenditures supported a total of 7,660 jobs, $266 million in labor income, $465 million in value added, and $782 million in economic output in the Florida economy.
Georgia - 7.5 million park visitors spent an estimated $403 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Georgia. These expenditures supported a total of 6,130 jobs, $198 million in labor income, $337 million in value added, and $581 million in economic output in the Georgia economy.
Guam - 388 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $22.9 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Guam. These expenditures supported a total of 257 jobs, $10.6 million in labor income, $19.0 million in value added, and $29.4 million in economic output in the Guam economy.
Hawaii - 4.8 million park visitors spent an estimated $527 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Hawaii. These expenditures supported a total of 5,820 jobs, $253 million in labor income, $482 million in value added, and $734 million in economic output in the Hawaii economy.
Idaho - 746 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $37.4 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Idaho. These expenditures supported a total of 569 jobs, $15.6 million in labor income, $26.6 million in value added, and $48.5 million in economic output in the Idaho economy.
Illinois - 198 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $12.1 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Illinois. These expenditures supported a total of 162 jobs, $6.5 million in labor income, $11.5 million in value added, and $18.0 million in economic output in the Illinois economy.
Indiana - 2.0 million park visitors spent an estimated $91.4 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Indiana. These expenditures supported a total of 1,300 jobs, $39.5 million in labor income, $65.9 million in value added, and $115 million in economic output in the Indiana economy.
Iowa - 194 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $11.7 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Iowa. These expenditures supported a total of 185 jobs, $5.0 million in labor income, $8.5 million in value added, and $15.3 million in economic output in the Iowa economy.
Kansas - 110 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $5.5 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Kansas. These expenditures supported a total of 81 jobs, $2.4 million in labor income, $4.0 million in value added, and $7.2 million in economic output in the Kansas economy.
Kentucky - 1.7 million park visitors spent an estimated $111 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Kentucky. These expenditures supported a total of 1,560 jobs, $46.3 million in labor income, $81.9 million in value added, and $143 million in economic output in the Kentucky economy.
Louisiana - 611 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $36.1 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Louisiana. These expenditures supported a total of 512 jobs, $15.5 million in labor income, $27.9 million in value added, and $47.4 million in economic output in the Louisiana economy.
Maine - 3.5 million park visitors spent an estimated $388 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Maine. These expenditures supported a total of 5,820 jobs, $189 million in labor income, $336 million in value added, and $571 million in economic output in the Maine economy.
Maryland - 6.0 million park visitors spent an estimated $203 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Maryland. These expenditures supported a total of 2,570 jobs, $101 million in labor income, $172 million in value added, and $271 million in economic output in the Maryland economy.
Massachusetts - 9.6 million park visitors spent an estimated $832 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Massachusetts. These expenditures supported a total of 10.5 thousand jobs, $479 million in labor income, $793 million in value added, and $1.2 billion in economic output in the Massachusetts economy.
Michigan - 2.7 million park visitors spent an estimated $237 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Michigan. These expenditures supported a total of 3,380 jobs, $112 million in labor income, $204 million in value added, and $339 million in economic output in the Michigan economy.
Minnesota - 1.2 million park visitors spent an estimated $64.4 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Minnesota. These expenditures supported a total of 926 jobs, $31.2 million in labor income, $53.4 million in value added, and $91.1 million in economic output in the Minnesota economy.
Mississippi - 6.9 million park visitors spent an estimated $214 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Mississippi. These expenditures supported a total of 2,990 jobs, $72.2 million in labor income, $124 million in value added, and $230 million in economic output in the Mississippi economy.
Missouri - 3.6 million park visitors spent an estimated $276 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Missouri. These expenditures supported a total of 4,610 jobs, $138 million in labor income, $228 million in value added, and $411 million in economic output in the Missouri economy.
Montana - 5.5 million park visitors spent an estimated $633 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Montana. These expenditures supported a total of 9,540 jobs, $303 million in labor income, $489 million in value added, and $881 million in economic output in the Montana economy.
Nebraska - 288 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $18.2 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Nebraska. These expenditures supported a total of 292 jobs, $8.5 million in labor income, $14.3 million in value added, and $25.5 million in economic output in the Nebraska economy.
Nevada - 5.8 million park visitors spent an estimated $261 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Nevada. These expenditures supported a total of 2,980 jobs, $120 million in labor income, $200 million in value added, and $318 million in economic output in the Nevada economy.
New Hampshire - 35.2 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $1.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in New Hampshire. These expenditures supported a total of 25 jobs, $942 thousand in labor income, $1.6 million in value added, and $2.6 million in economic output in the New Hampshire economy.
New Jersey - 4.5 million park visitors spent an estimated $154 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in New Jersey. These expenditures supported a total of 2,090 jobs, $82.6 million in labor income, $135 million in value added, and $215 million in economic output in the New Jersey economy.
New Mexico - 2.1 million park visitors spent an estimated $123 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in New Mexico. These expenditures supported a total of 1,770 jobs, $49.5 million in labor income, $84.4 million in value added, and $152 million in economic output in the New Mexico economy.
New York - 19.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $737 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in New York. These expenditures supported a total of 7,920 jobs, $358 million in labor income, $620 million in value added, and $923 million in economic output in the New York economy.
North Carolina - 18.1 million park visitors spent an estimated $1.3 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in North Carolina. These expenditures supported a total of 20.6 thousand jobs, $660 million in labor income, $1.1 billion in value added, and $2.0 billion in economic output in the North Carolina economy.
North Dakota - 775 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $49.6 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in North Dakota. These expenditures supported a total of 695 jobs, $20.7 million in labor income, $35.2 million in value added, and $63.5 million in economic output in the North Dakota economy.
Ohio - 2.5 million park visitors spent an estimated $65.2 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Ohio. These expenditures supported a total of 1,030 jobs, $34.1 million in labor income, $56.5 million in value added, and $98.5 million in economic output in the Ohio economy.
Oklahoma - 1.5 million park visitors spent an estimated $25.0 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Oklahoma. These expenditures supported a total of 265 jobs, $7.9 million in labor income, $12.8 million in value added, and $23.0 million in economic output in the Oklahoma economy.
Oregon - 1.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $94.0 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Oregon. These expenditures supported a total of 1,350 jobs, $47.3 million in labor income, $78.8 million in value added, and $133 million in economic output in the Oregon economy.
Pennsylvania - 9.7 million park visitors spent an estimated $467 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Pennsylvania. These expenditures supported a total of 7,380 jobs, $256 million in labor income, $406 million in value added, and $693 million in economic output in the Pennsylvania economy.
Puerto Rico - 910 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $53.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Puerto Rico. These expenditures supported a total of 604 jobs, $24.9 million in labor income, $44.6 million in value added, and $69.0 million in economic output in the Puerto Rico economy.
Rhode Island - 60.7 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $3.6 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Rhode Island. These expenditures supported a total of 49 jobs, $1.7 million in labor income, $3.0 million in value added, and $4.8 million in economic output in the Rhode Island economy.
South Carolina - 1.6 million park visitors spent an estimated $89.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in South Carolina. These expenditures supported a total of 1,260 jobs, $38.5 million in labor income, $67.7 million in value added, and $116 million in economic output in the South Carolina economy.
South Dakota - 4.4 million park visitors spent an estimated $294 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in South Dakota. These expenditures supported a total of 4,290 jobs, $130 million in labor income, $216 million in value added, and $387 million in economic output in the South Dakota economy.
Tennessee - 9.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $653 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Tennessee. These expenditures supported a total of 8,870 jobs, $322 million in labor income, $542 million in value added, and $904 million in economic output in the Tennessee economy.
Texas - 5.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $303 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Texas. These expenditures supported a total of 4,260 jobs, $156 million in labor income, $267 million in value added, and $447 million in economic output in the Texas economy.
Utah - 15.1 million park visitors spent an estimated $1.2 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Utah. These expenditures supported a total of 18.7 thousand jobs, $605 million in labor income, $1.0 billion in value added, and $1.8 billion in economic output in the Utah economy.
Vermont - 63.9 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $3.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Vermont. These expenditures supported a total of 51 jobs, $1.5 million in labor income, $2.8 million in value added, and $4.7 million in economic output in the Vermont economy.
Virgin Islands - 256 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $24.9 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Virgin Islands. These expenditures supported a total of 283 jobs, $11.8 million in labor income, $21.9 million in value added, and $33.5 million in economic output in the Virgin Islands economy.
Virginia - 22.2 million park visitors spent an estimated $1.1 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Virginia. These expenditures supported a total of 16.8 thousand jobs, $547 million in labor income, $953 million in value added, and $1.6 billion in economic output in the Virginia economy.
Washington - 8.4 million park visitors spent an estimated $506 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Washington. These expenditures supported a total of 5,830 jobs, $235 million in labor income, $431 million in value added, and $670 million in economic output in the Washington economy.
West Virginia - 1.6 million park visitors spent an estimated $73.6 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in West Virginia. These expenditures supported a total of 1,050 jobs, $29.0 million in labor income, $48.3 million in value added, and $85.8 million in economic output in the West Virginia economy.
Wisconsin - 615 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $56.3 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Wisconsin. These expenditures supported a total of 869 jobs, $25.2 million in labor income, $43.4 million in value added, and $77.3 million in economic output in the Wisconsin economy.
Wyoming - 7.7 million park visitors spent an estimated $928 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in Wyoming. These expenditures supported a total of 12.3 thousand jobs, $359 million in labor income, $651 million in value added, and $1.1 billion in economic output in the Wyoming economy.
Source: National Park Service
Published May 28, 2019 |
