News Release

Tourism to Carlsbad Caverns Contributes $31.9 Million to Local Economy

NPS

News Release Date: September 4, 2024

Contact: Carmen Chapin, Superintendent

A new National Park Service report shows that 394,000 visitors to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in 2023 spent $29.1 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 359 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $31.9 million.
 
“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 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.” 
 
“People come to Carlsbad Caverns National Park to experience the grandeur of Carlsbad Cavern and end up supporting the U.S. and local economies along the way,” said Superintendent Carmen Chapin. “We’re proud that Carlsbad Caverns supports 359 jobs and $29.1 million in revenue to communities near the park.”

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 New Mexico and how the National Park Service works with New Mexico communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/newmexico.