St. George, UT - A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 3,660,000 visitors to Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Pipe Spring National Monument in 2012 spent $193,218,000 in communities near the parks. That spending supported 2,394 jobs in the regional area.
“People come from all over the world to experience the majesty and adventure of Zion National Park." said Zion Superintendent Jim Milestone. “Local communities help enhance the visitor experience by providing restaurant, lodging, and guiding services. For every $1 invested in the National Park Service, visitor spending creates a return rate of $10." Zion’s visitation generated an estimated $152,859,400 and 1,854 jobs for local communities.
“National Park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy. Cedar Breaks National Monument contributes to that and is a factor in our local economy as well." said Monument Superintendent Paul Roelandt. “We value the support of our neighbors and our partnerships and are pleased that we play a role in helping to sustain small businesses in our nearby communities. Visitors to Cedar Breaks brought in an estimated $37, 415,500 and 499 jobs to the local area."
John Hiscock, Superintendent of Pipe Spring National Monument stated, “Pipe Spring is a smaller historic site between spectacular natural parks like Zion and the Grand Canyon. Visitors experience the preserved landscape and buildings of a frontier outpost and ranch and are introduced to varied and complex historical stories and relationships between Native Americans, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and its pioneers, and the Federal government." Pipe Spring generated an estimated $2,943,000 and 41 jobs for local communities.
The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and Lynne Koontz for the National Park Service. The report shows $14.7 billion of direct spending by 283 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 243,000 jobs nationally, with 201,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $26.75 billion.
According to the report most visitor spending supports jobs in restaurants, grocery and convenience stores (39 percent), hotels, motels and B&Bs (27 percent), and other amusement and recreation (20 percent).
To download the report visit https://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm
The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.
To learn more about national parks in Utah and Arizona and how the National Park Service works with communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/UTAH and www.nps.gov/ARIZONA.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
