Tourism to Women’s Rights National Historical Park Creates Over 2 million in Economic Benefit; Report shows visitor spending supports 23 jobs in local economy

Date: July 31, 2014
Contact: Kimberly Szewczyk, 315-568-0024

Seneca Falls, NY – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 30,137 visitors to Women's Rights National Historical Park in 2013 spent over $2.06 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 23jobs in the local area.

"Women's Rights National Historical Park is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world," said superintendent Noemi Ghazala. "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."

Superintendent Ghazala also said she anticipates increased visitation to the park in 2015 with planned enhanced programming for the 200^th anniversary of Elizabeth Cady Stanton's birthday and in 2016 with additional special programming for the celebration of the National Park Service's centennial birthday.

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 http://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 New York 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.