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NPS/Cara Pearson
Contact: Laurel Racine, 508-996-4095 x6100 Tourism to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park creates $13,297,400 in Economic Benefit Report shows visitor spending supports 193 jobs in local economy NEW BEDFORD, MA – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 269,885 visitors to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in 2012 spent $13.3 million in communities near the park.That spending supported 193 jobs in the local area. "New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world," said acting superintendent Laurel Racine. "We are delighted to share the story of this City as a compelling destination that preserves and interprets the American whaling industry and its global influence through partnership and community collaboration. 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." The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and Lynne Koontz for the National Park Service. The report 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 U.S. 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 Massachusetts and how the National Park Service works with Massachusetts communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/massachusetts..Also, please visit the following link for b-roll prepared by the National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/news/econ_b-roll.htm. The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. It is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM, and offers information, exhibits, and a free orientation movie every hour on the hour from 10 AM-4 PM.The visitor center is accessible to all. Admission is free.For additional information and schedules, go to the park website at www.nps.gov/nebe, call 508-996-4095, or visit the park's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NBWNHP About the National Park Service. National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. |
Last updated: February 26, 2015