Tourism to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Creates $67.5 Million in Economic Benefits

Visitors walk towards Fort Vancouver during the park's annual Campfires & Candlelight event.

Christopher Communications

News Release Date: April 22, 2016

Contact: Tracy Fortmann, Superintendent, [phone]

 A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 818,672 visitors to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in 2015 spent $46.9 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 792 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local community of $67.5 million.

"Fort Vancouver National Historic Site welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Tracy Fortmann. "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."

Fortmann added, "Established in 1948, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site has long been a part of our community. Through the many years since its creation, park staff, volunteers, and partners have striven to serve our community as well as visitors coming from across the nation and internationally. Visitation has and continues to grow steadily. Today, the national park is recognized as a welcoming hub actively providing historical and archaeological education, research, and learning, as well as hosting free, dynamic public events, educational programs, partnered activities, and permitted events."

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. The 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 click here. 

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

To learn more about the national parks in Washington and how the National Park Service works with Washington communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, click here.