The United States celebrated National Park Week in April and in conjunction with the celebration, the Interior Department released data about the economic impact the nation’s parks have on the communities near the sanctuaries.
And no place is that impact more apparent than in Utah. According to figures released by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, Utah’s economy saw a $1.1 billion infusion in direct tourist spending in 2017 from people visiting the state’s five national parks. That placed Utah fifth among the states in total economic impact and fourth in the number of jobs directly related to national park visitation.
Nationally, the national park systems benefitted local economies to the tune of $35.8 billion — a $1 billion increase from 2016. More than half that amount ($18.2 billion) went to businesses within 60 miles of a park. There were over 306,000 people with jobs directly related to national park tourism in 2017. Of those jobs, 225,000 were in communities within 60 miles of a national park.
“This report illustrates the incredible economic value of our national parks and further shows the value in the president’s plan to rebuild park infrastructure,” Zinke said. “National parks provide us a gateway to the outdoors, family recreational opportunities and connect us to our history and heritage — and they are extremely vital to local economies all across the nation. Parks provide jobs and fuel the outdoor recreation and tourism economy.”
“Parks are priceless not only for their intrinsic natural beauty and historical significance, but also for the economic benefits they provide to communities across the country,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “The investments we make in our national parks protect cherished places while promoting community and economic development.”
Of the $1.1 billion spent in Utah by parks visitors, $227 million was spent at restaurants and $386 million was spent for local lodging. Other expenditures went to retail stores ($190.4 million), gas stations ($123 million), transportation ($95 million) and camping venues ($30.4 million).
Utah also benefited from the nation’s largest growth in national park visitation in recent years with 79.1 percent growth in expenditure from 2012 to 2017 ($614 million versus $1.1 billion).
More than 4,000 of the 17,600 Utah jobs directly related to park visitation were held by restaurant employees while 3,990 were held by hotel and motel employees. Restaurants and lodging facilities also accounted for the bulk of the labor income in Utah. According to Interior Department figures, the equivalent of 5,280 jobs in Utah are indirectly related to national park tourism.
Visitor spending varied across the national park system, from big parks like Yellowstone National Park, which attracted 4.1 million people and supported more than 7,350 jobs, to smaller parks like Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site near Winslow, Arizona, that attracted more than 45,000 visitors and supported 43 jobs.
Nationwide, the lodging sector received the highest direct contributions, with $5.5 billion in economic output to local gateway economies and 49,000 jobs. The restaurants sector received the next greatest direct contributions, with $3.7 billion in economic output to local gateway economies and 60,500 jobs.
“National parks connect us with nature and help tell America’s story,” said Dan Smith, deputy director of the National Park Service. “They are also a vital part of our nation’s economy, drawing hundreds of millions of visitors every year who fill hotels and restaurants, hire outfitters and rely on other local businesses that help drive a vibrant tourism and outdoor recreation industry.”
National Park visitation nationwide grew by 7.7 percent from 2015 to 2017, which included the 2016 centennial of the National Park Service and the “Find Your Park” campaign.