Tourism Creates Over 3 million in Economic Benefits

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Date: April 29, 2016
Contact: Kimberly Szewczyk, 315-568-2991

Seneca Falls, NY - A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows 38,140 visitors to Women’s Rights National Historical Park in 2015 spent $2.7 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 37 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $3.5 million.
 
“Women’s Rights National Historical Park welcomes visitors from across the nation and around the world,” said Superintendent Ami Ghazala. “We are thrilled to share the story of the first women’s rights convention and its relevance today. The park also offers an introduction to the Finger Lakes region and 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. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are pleased to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.” 
 
The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynn Koontz of the National Park Service. The report shows $16.9 billion of direct spending by 307.2 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 295,000 jobs nationally; 252,000 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $32 billion. 
 
According to the 2015 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.1 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.2 percent), gas and oil (11.8 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.8 percent). Report authors this year produced an interactive tool available at the NPS Social Science Program webpage: go.nps.gov/vse. 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
 
Women’s Rights National Historical Park is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information about the park and upcoming programs, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/wori or call (315) 568-2991. Follow us on Facebook (@WomensRightsNPS) and Twitter (#WomensRightsNPS). Join the Friends of Women’s Rights National Historical Park at www.womensrightsfriends.org.



Last updated: November 17, 2020

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