New report shows visitor spending supports 252,000 jobs nationwide

Date: February 26, 2013
Contact: Nancy Stimson, 307 467 5283

Devils Tower, Wyoming – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 395,203 visitors in 2011 spent nearly $14.8 million in Devils Tower National Monument and in communities near the park. That spending supported 220 jobs in northeast Wyoming.

 "Devils Tower National Monument is a wonderful place to relax, walk the trails and learn about America's first national monument," said superintendent, Reed Robinson. "The people in our nearby communities are invested in the park. Whether they visit the park, own or work at a business that serves local or the traveling visitors or provides services for the park and our employees, there is a positive economic impact on our local and our national economy."

 The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by Yue Cui, Ed Mahoney, and Teresa Herbowicz of Michigan State University for the National Park Service. The report shows $13 billion of direct spending by 279 million national park visitors. The spending occurred in communities within 60 miles of a national park site and supported 252,000 jobs, most of which are also in the communities near national park sites. The visitor spending had a $30 billion impact on the entire U.S. economy.

 According to the report, most visitor spending supports jobs in lodging, food, and beverage service (63 percent) followed recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11percent), 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, 2011.

The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

 To learn more about national parks in Wyoming and how the National Park Service works with Wyoming communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to https://www.nps.gov/wyoming

 To learn more about Devils Tower National Monument call 307-467-5283, visit us online at www.nps.gov/deto or on Facebook at Devils-Tower-National-Monument-Official-NPS-Site. Devils Tower National Monument is located, 33 miles northeast of Moorcroft, WY, 27 miles northwest of Sundance, WY via U.S. 14, 9 Miles south of Hulett via WY24, and 52 miles southwest of Belle Fourche, S.D. via S.D. Highway34/WY24.

 www.nps.gov