Tourism to Long Island National Parks Creates $21,460,500 in Economic Benefits: Report shows visitor spending supports 201 jobs in local economy

Date: April 23, 2015
Contact: Elizabeth Rogers, 631-687-4766

Long Island, NEW YORK –A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 403,662 visitors to national parks on Long Island in 2014 spent $17,043,600 in communities surrounding Sagamore Hill National Historic Site and Fire Island National Seashore. That spending supported 201 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $21,460,500.

"Sagamore Hill National Historic Site and Fire Island National Seashore welcome visitors from across the country and around the world," said Sagamore Hill Superintendent Kelly Fuhrmann. "We are delighted to share the story of these places and the experiences they provide to every visitor."

Chris Soller, Superintendent of Fire Island National Seashore, stated, "Visitation to national parks plays an important role in the nation's economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service. Here on Long Island, tourism is a significant driver of our economy and visitors to Sagamore Hill National Historic Site and Fire Island National Seashore help sustain local communities."

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 and other expenses (9.9 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 on Long Island and how the National Park Service works with New York communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/NEWYORK.