Whitman Mission Economic Benefit 2012

Date: March 3, 2014
Contact: Superintendent Timothy A. Nitz , [phone]

A new National Park Service (NPS) Economic Impacts Report shows that 60,785 visitors to Whitman Mission National Historic Site in 2012 spent over three and a quarter million dollars in communities near the park. That spending supported 42 jobs in the local area.

"Whitman Mission National Historic Site staff remain committed to protecting the resources and sharing the history of this place," says park superintendent, Timothy Nitz. "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 relevant part of the local economy as well. We appreciate the support of our partners and neighbors and are glad that these efforts have the added benefit of 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 amusement and recreation venues (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 Washington and how the National Park Service works with Washington communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/washington.