News Release

National Park Tourism in Alaska Contributes $2.3 Billion to State Economy

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News Release Date: September 5, 2024
Contact: Peter Christian, 907-644-3512

ANCHORAGE— The National Park service reports that 3.3 million visitors to national parks in Alaska spent $1.5 billion in the state in 2023. That spending resulted in 21,274 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $2.3 billion.   “I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.” “In 2023, visitors to national parks in Alaska spent $1.5 billion and supported more than 21,000 jobs in local communities,” said Sarah Creachbaum, Regional Director for Alaska parks. “Solitude, wilderness and deep human connection await in Alaska’s national parks, and I’m proud to see how the parks are benefitting surrounding communities.”  

There are 23 national parks in Alaska. The National Park Service finds that visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. Nationwide, this spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 billion in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.  An interactive tool enables users to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at nps.gov.   To learn more about national parks in Alaska and how the National Park Service works with Alaska communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, visit nps.gov.    About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.