Report shows visitor spending supports 451 jobs in local economy

Date: April 24, 2015
Contact: Todd J. Suess, Superintendent, [phone]
Contact: Larry Whalon, Deputy Superintendent , [phone]

BARSTOW, CA—A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 554,560 recorded visitors toMojave National Preserve spent $31,092,700in communities near the park in 2014. That spending supported 451jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $39,283,700.

"Mojave welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Todd Suess. "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 the Mojave Desert and to 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," Suess said. "We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors, and we are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities through providing recreational opportunities for local and area residents as well as visitors from around the country and the world."

The vast expanse of Mojave National Preserve's 1.6 million acres allows our visitors to enjoy a sense of discovery, Suess said. "Our local communities provide our visitors with the food, gas, and overnight accommodations that are needed to discover the treasures of the preserve in the cool weather as well as the hot summers."

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and by National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz.  The report shows $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 277,000 jobs nationally. Of those jobs, 235,600 are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $29.7 billion.

According to the 2014 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (30.6 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.3 percent), gas and oil (11.9 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent), and souvenirs and other expenses (9.9 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 California and about how the National Park Service works with communities in California to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/california.