National Park Tourism in NH Creates $2.8 Million in Economic Benefit

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 37,785 visitors to the national park in New Hampshire spent $1.8 million in the state in 2014. That spending resulted in 30 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $2.8 million.

“Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in New Hampshire attracts visitors from across the country,” said Northeast Regional Director Mike Caldwell. “Whether they are out for an afternoon, a school field trip, or a 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 our state’s economy as well, a result we can all support.”

New Hampshire includes one national park: Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site.

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz. The report shows $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 277,000 jobs nationally; 235,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $29.7 billion.

According to the 2014 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (30.6 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.3 percent), gas and oil (11.9 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs (9.9 percent).

To download the report, visit www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm. The report includes information for visitor spending by park and by state.

To learn more about national parks and how the National Park Service works with New Hampshire communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/NH.