Tourism Benefits of Casa Grande Ruins

Date: April 24, 2015
Contact: Dave Carney, 520 723-3172

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument News Release

For Immediate Release:April 24, 2015

Tourism to Casa Grande Ruins National Monument creates $3.6 Million in Economic Benefits

Report shows visitor spending supports 55 jobs in local economy

COOLIDGE, AZ–A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 63,698 visitors to Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in 2014 spent $3.6 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 55 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $5.1 million.

"Casa Grande Ruins National Monument welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Karl Pierce. "We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature 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 National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz. The report shows $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 277,000 jobs nationally; 235,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $29.7 billion.

According to the 2014 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (30.6 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.3 percent), gas and oil (11.9 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.9 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 Arizona and how the National Park Service works with Arizona communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/Arizona.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument protects the multi-story Great House and the ruins of other ancient structures built by the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People  over 800 years ago. Established as the nation's first archeological reserve in 1892, the Ruins sparked the beginning of the archeological preservation movement in America. The Monument is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Directions and additional information are available on the Monument's website, you may call [phone], or follow us on Facebook.

Visit www.NationalParkWeek.org to learn more about how you can join parks, programs, and partners in celebrating National Park Week across the country.