New report shows visitor spending supports 6,678 jobs in PA.
PHILADELPHIA – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 9,005,244 visitors to national parks in Pennsylvania spent $395.6 million in the state in 2014. That spending resulted in 6,678 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $566.2 million.
“The national parks of Pennsylvania attract visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Northeast Regional Director Mike Caldwell. “Whether they are out for an afternoon, a school field trip or a month-long family vacation, visitors come to have a great experience, and end up spending a little money along the way.
“This new report shows that national park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy – returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service – and a big factor in our state’s economy as well, a result we can all support.”
The national parks in Pennsylvania include: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, Eisenhower National Historic Site, Flight 93 National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Friendship Hill National Historic Site, Gettysburg National Military Park, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Independence National Historical Park, Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Steamtown National Historic Site, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River and Valley Forge National Historical Park.
The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz.
The report shows $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 277,000 jobs nationally; 235,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $29.7 billion.
According to the 2014 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (30.6 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.3 percent), gas and oil (11.9 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs (9.9 percent).
The report includes information for visitor spending by park and by state.
To learn more about national parks in Pennsylvania and how the National Park Service works with Pennsylvania communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/Pennsylvania.