Tourism to National Parks of New York Harbor creates $341.6 Million in Economic Benefit in 2013

Date: July 22, 2014
Contact: Mindi Rambo, 212-668-2208

NEW YORK — A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 10,989,480 visitors to the 10 national parks in and around New York Harbor in 2013 spent $341.6 million in communities near the parks. That spending supported 3,753 jobs in the local area. 

"The National Parks of New York Harbor are proud to welcome visitors from across our local communities, the country and around the world," said Commissioner Joshua Laird. "We are delighted to share the story of these special places and the experiences they provide.  The National Parks of New York Harbor tell the intertwining stories of America, from its founding, to the arrivals of the peoples who populated the New York City area and the entire United States of America. Our New York Harbor sites also offer amazing opportunities to experience nature and enjoy an array of exciting recreational activities. 

"Despite the challenges placed on our parks during much of 2013 as we continued to rebuild from Hurricane Sandy, we reopened our sites just as soon they were safe for our visitors, and they responded by returning in impressive numbers to Gateway National Recreation Area, Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island and Castle Clinton National Monument," Laird continued. "That is important, because national park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy - returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service - and it a plays big factor in New York City metropolitan area's 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 $14.6 billion of direct spending by 273.6 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported more than 237,000 jobs nationally, with more than 197,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $26.5 billion. 

According to the 2013 economic analysis, most visitor spending was for lodging (30.3 percent) followed by food and beverages (27.3 percent), gas and oil (12.1 percent), admissions and fees (10.3 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (10 percent). 

The largest jobs categories supported by visitor spending were restaurants and bars (50,000 jobs) and lodging (38,000 jobs). 

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 the National Park of New York Harbor and how the National Park Service works with New York and New Jersey communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/newyork or www.nps.gov/newjersery.