Image Credit: Francis Grant-Suttie
National parks have long been revered for their natural beauty and historical significance, but they are also a vital part of our nation’s economy and help drive a vibrant tourism and outdoor recreation industry. According to the National Park Service’s 2023 Visitor Spending Effects Report, 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. The restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.
Around the D.C. metropolitan area, it has been reported that more than 56.2 million visitors spent $1.5 billion, which ultimate supported 16,000 jobs and had a total economic impact of nearly $2 billion in the nearby area.
In 2023, 4.5 million visitors to the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) spent an estimated $96 million in local communities and regions surrounding the Park. These expenditures supported a total of 1,240 jobs, $54.7 million in labor income, $90.3 million in value added, and $148 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding the C&O Canal NHP. This is quite the increase from last year, where it was reported that Park visitors had an economic impact of $90.7 million. To learn more, visit the NPS economics webpage.
Image Credit: NPS
