Tourism to National Parks of New York Harbor creates more than 390 Million Dollars in Economic Benefit

Date: March 5, 2014
Contact: Mindi Rambo, 212-668-2208
Contact: Daphne Yun, 718-354-4602

 New York, NY- A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that in 2012 12,073,658 visitors to national parks around New York Harbor spent $394,399,300 million in communities near the park.  That spending supported 4,395 jobs in the local area.

"Each of the National Parks of New York Harbor is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world," said Joshua Laird, Commissioner of the National Parks of New York Harbor.  "We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experience it provides and to use 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 for the national economy - returning $10 for every $1 invest in the National Park Service - and it is a meaningful contributor to New York City's economy as well.  We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping sustain local communities."

"Our parks range from the tiny cultural gem to the international icon and include Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, Governors Island National Monument, Gateway National Recreation Area and the parks that are found in and around Manhattan:  African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument, Federal Hall National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial (Grant's Tomb), Hamilton Grange National Memorial, St. Paul's Church National Historic Site and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site," Laird said.

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas, Christopher Huber and Lynne Koontz for the National Park Service.  The reports shows $14.7 billion of direct spending by 283 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park.  This spending supported 243,000 jobs nationally, with 201,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the US economy of $26.75 billion.  According to the report most visitor spending supports jobs in restaurants, grocery and convenience stores (39 percent), hotels, motels and B&Bs (27 percent) and other amusement and recreation (20 percent).

To download the report visit https://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm.  The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.  To learn more about national parks in New York and how the National Park Service works with New York communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/newyork.