National Park Tourism in Hawaii Creates $314 Million in Economic Benefit
News Release from National Parks Service, March 3, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 5.1 million visitors to national parks in Hawai`i spent more than $314 million and supported 3,723 jobs in the state in 2012.
“The national parks of Hawai`i attract visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Regional Director Chris Lehnertz. “Whether they are out for an afternoon, a school field trip, or a month-long family vacation, visitors come to have a great experience, and end up spending a little money along the way. This new report shows that national park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy - returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service - and a big factor in Hawai`i’s economy as well, a result we can all support.”
The national parks in Hawai`i include Haleakala National Park, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, and World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.
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 LINK.
The report includes information for visitor spending by park and by state.
To learn more about national parks in Hawai`i and how the National Park Service works with Hawai`i’s communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/hawaii.
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