Tourism to Gettysburg National Military Park creates $73 million in Economic Benefit

Date: July 18, 2014
Contact: Katie Lawhon, [phone], ext. 3121

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 1,213,349 visitors to Gettysburg National Military Park in 2013 spent $73,224,900 in communities near the park. That spending supported 916 jobs in the local area. Eisenhower National Historic Site had 59,180 visitors and provided an economic impact of $3,262,000, supporting 42 local jobs.

"The Gettysburg and Eisenhower parks are proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world," said superintendent Ed W. Clark. "We are delighted to share the stories of these places and provide memorable experiences for people visiting central Pennsylvania 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 partners and neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities."

2013 was the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg and park visitation increased by more than 7 percent over 2012.

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 $14.6 billion of direct spending by 273.6 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported more than 237,000 jobs nationally, with more than 197,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $26.5 billion.

According to the 2013 economic analysis, most visitor spending was for lodging (30.3 percent) followed by food and beverages (27.3 percent), gas and oil (12.1 percent), admissions and fees (10.3 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (10 percent).

The largest jobs categories supported by visitor spending were restaurants and bars (50,000 jobs) and lodging (38,000 jobs).

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 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.

Gettysburg National Military Park preserves and protects the resources associated with the Battle of Gettysburg and the Soldiers' National Cemetery and provides an understanding of the events that occurred there within the context of American history. More information is available at www.nps.gov/gett.

Eisenhower National Historic Site preserves and protects the resources associated with the presidential home and farm in order to promote understanding and appreciation of the life, work and times of Dwight David Eisenhower. For more information go to www.nps.gov/eise.