Tourism to Cape Lookout National Seashore creates over $19.2 Million in Economic Benefits. Report shows visitor spending supports over 274 jobs in local economy.

Date: April 21, 2016
Contact: Patrick Kenney, 252-728-2250, ext. 3014

HARKERS ISLAND, NC–A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 400,413 visitors to Cape Lookout National Seashore in 2015 spent $17,698,100 in communities near the park. That spending supported 274 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $19,271,800. 

"Cape Lookout National Seashore welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Patrick Kenney. "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 economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service. The report shows $16.9 billion of direct spending by 307.2 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 295,000 jobs nationally; 252,000 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $32 billion. 

According to the 2015 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.1 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.2 percent), gas and oil (11.8 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.8 percent).

To download the report visit go.nps.gov/vse.

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 North Carolina communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/NORTHCAROLINA.