News Release

Tourism to Cape Cod National Seashore contributes $754 million to local economy

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 26, 2025

Contact: Linzy French, 508-957-0710

A new National Park Service report shows that 3.8 million visitors to Cape Cod National Seashore in 2024 spent $598 million in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $754 million.

“Our park was established by Congress to preserve the quintessential Cape Cod experience that is still possible today with the services and activities offered in our towns,” said Superintendent Jennifer Flynn. “Tourism is a critical driver to the local economy, and we’re proud to help bring in 5,385 jobs and $754 million dollars in economic output to communities within 60 miles of the park.”

The National Park Service report, 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks. This spending provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $11.1 billion in economic output. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.7 billion in economic output. 

An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, 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 www.nps.gov/massachusetts.