News Release

Tourism to National Parks of Boston contributes $298.8 million to local economy

Photo by Arlan Fonseca

News Release Date: August 28, 2024

BOSTON, Mass. – A new National Park Service report shows that 2.9 million visitors to National Parks of Boston in 2023 spent $196.5 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 2,430 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $298.8 million.

"I'm so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year," said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. "And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country."

"As stewards of public spaces across this revolutionary city, National Parks of Boston creates experiences that encourage people to see themselves in the ongoing story of the American Revolution," said Superintendent Michael Creasey. "Through these meaningful opportunities for engagement, we're proud that National Parks of Boston contributes to the local economy by supporting 2,430 jobs and generating $298.8 million in revenue. As we approach the 250^th anniversary of the founding of this country, we look forward to welcoming people from across the country and the world for commemorative 250^th events at our park this upcoming year."

The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. The restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.

An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, and total economic contribution by sector for national, state and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available on the NPS website.

To learn more about national parks in Massachusetts and how the National Park Service works with Massachusetts communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to https://www.nps.gov/state/ma/index.htm.

About the National Parks of Boston

The National Parks of Boston is a collection of three National Park Service sites – Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. Established by individual legislation and for designated purposes, the three units have come together under a unified organizational umbrella to collaborate in ways that celebrate our cultural heritage, reconnect people to history and nature, and provide outdoor recreation opportunities on land and on the water. For more information on the National Parks of Boston, visit: www.nps.gov/bost, www.nps.gov/boaf, and www.bostonharborislands.org.