Outer Banks Group Parks Benefit the Local Economy

Date: February 26, 2013
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-475-9000

A new National Park Service (NPS) report for 2011 shows that almost 2.7 million visitors to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial spent a total of more than $131 million in communities surrounding the parks.This spending supported approximately 1,800 jobs in the local area.

"The Outer Banks Group, including Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial are wonderful places to experience the natural resources of the Outer Banks while also learning about facets of the American story," said park superintendent Barclay Trimble."We attract visitors from across the United States and around the world who come here to experience parks and to spend time on its famous soft sandy beaches and associated activities which include walking/driving the beach, swimming, sailing, fishing, camping, and enjoying the ambiance of the shore, its outstanding natural beauty, exceptional cultural resources, pristine night sky, and many forms of wildlife that inhabit the sand dunes, marshes and woodlands.""In addition," Trimble stated, "enjoyment of the services provided by our neighboring communities is necessary for our visitors to achieve a memorable experience and in turn these visitors contribute money towards the local economy.The National Park Service is proud to have been entrusted with the care of America's most treasured places and delighted that the visitors we welcome generate significant contributions to the local, state and national economy."

The information on the Outer Banks Group parks is part of the peer-reviewed spending analysis of national park visitors across the country conducted by Michigan State University for the National Park Service.For 2011, that report shows $13 billion of direct spending by 279 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park.That visitor spending had a $30 billion impact on the entire U.S. economy and supported 252,000 jobs nationwide.Most visitor spending supports jobs in lodging, food, and beverage service (63 percent) followed by recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11 percent), transportation and fuel (7 percent) and wholesale and manufacturing (2 percent.)

To download the report visit: https://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/products.cfm#MGM and click on Economic Benefits to Local Communities from National Park Visitation and Payroll, 2011.The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

To learn more about national parks in North Carolina and how the National Park Service works with communities to preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide local recreation opportunities, go to www.nps.gov/northcarolina.For more information on the Outer Banks Group, go to www.nps.gov/caha, www.nps.gov/fora, www.nps.gov/wrbr, or call 252-475-9000.

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