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Tourism to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area create$43.5 million in Economic Benefit Report shows visitor spending supports519jobs in local economy Gunnison, CO – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 175,852 visitors toBlack Canyon of the Gunnison in 2013 spent over $10.2 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 123 jobs in the local area. In addition, 814,162 visitors to Curecanti National Recreation Area in 2013 spent nearly $33.3 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 396 jobs. "Black Canyon and Curecanti are proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world," said acting superintendent Christine Landrum. "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." 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 Colorado and how the National Park Service works with Colorado communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/COLORADO.
NPS About the National Park Service.National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. |
Last updated: February 24, 2015