Economic Impact Report Released

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
Date: February 28, 2012
Contact: Jonathan Parker, 978-740-1663

Visitors to Salem's National Park Contribute $52 Million, Support Over 600 Jobs in Local Economy

SALEM, Massachusetts. - A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site spent $52.1 million in Salem and adjacent communities in 2010. More than 806,000 visitors toured Salem's national park in 2010, with out-of-town visitors contributing $48.5 of the $52.1 million dollars to the local economy. Visitor spending supported 687 jobs in the area during 2010.

"The National Park Service's preservation and promotion of Salem's maritime heritage enhances our city and draws visitors from near and far," said Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll. "These impressive economic figures reinforce the value of Salem's national park to the business community and residents alike. We feel fortunate to have a national park in our own backyard that brings thousands of visitors and hundreds of jobs to our community."

The new report examines the economic benefits of visitor spending at motels, hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, restaurants and grocery stores and on retail and fuel purchases. The operation of Salem Maritime National Historic Site added another $2.9 million to the Salem economy through NPS employee and contract labor salaries and park and contractor purchases of supplies and materials.

"Visitors are drawn to national parks like Salem to explore America's inspiring natural and cultural heritage," said park Superintendent Michael Quijano-West. "Our visitors depart the park with a stronger understanding of American maritime history and Salem's significant role in the early economic success of the country. We're also proud of the positive economic impact and jobs that our visitors bring to the community year after year. "

Visitors to Massachusetts' fifteen national parks supported over 5,900 jobs and contributed $444 million to local economies in 2010. Nationwide, an estimated $12.13 billion was spent by visitors in communities surrounding National Park Service sites during the same time period. This visitor spending added a total of $31 billion to the national economy and supported more than 258,000 jobs, an increase of $689 million and 11,500 jobs over 2009.

The figures are included in an annual, peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis conducted by Dr. Daniel Stynes of Michigan State University for the National Park Service. To download the report visit https://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/products.cfm#MGM and click on Economic Benefits to Local Communities from National Park Visitation and Payroll, 2010. The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

For more on how the NPS is working within Massachusetts, go to www.nps.gov/massachusetts



Last updated: February 26, 2015

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

160 Derby Street
Salem, MA 01970

Phone:

978-740-1650

Contact Us