Tourism to Dry Tortugas National Park Creates $3.2 Million in Economic Benefit Report shows visitor spending supports 33 jobs in local economy

Date: March 3, 2014
Contact: General Park Information, 305-242-7700
Contact: Media contacts only: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714
Contact: Mary Plumb, 305-242-7017

HOMESTEAD, Florida – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 60, 550 visitors to Dry Tortugas National Park in 2012 spent approximately $3.2 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 33 jobs in the local area.

“Dry Tortugas National Park is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Dan Kimball. “We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides and to use the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers.

National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy - returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service - and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain 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 Florida and how the National Park Service works with Florida communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go towww.nps.gov/FLORIDA.

WHAT:        2012 National Park Visitors Spending Report

WHEN:    2012

WHERE: Dry Tortugas National Park

NPS b-roll is available for media to use in reporting on the 2012 National Park Visitors Spending Report at https://www.nps.gov/news/econ_b-roll.htm.