Yosemite Brings Big Bucks
Yosemite, CA — A new report shows the financial value of Yosemite National Park to the local economy. The National Park Service (NPS) report found tourism to the Park equals over $378 million in economic benefits.
Using figures from 2012, the report shows that 3,853,404 visitors went to the park and spent $378,757.7 million in the surrounding communities. That in turn supported 5,162 local jobs. Those jobs are broken into these categories and percentages:
- Restaurants, grocery and convenience stores equal 39%
- Hotels, motels and Bed &Breakfasts equal 27%
- Other amusement and recreation 20%
Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher says, “We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides and to use the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country 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.”
Nationally, the report shows $14.7 billion in spending by 283 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. That spending supported 201,000 jobs in gateway communities, and a $26.75 billion benefited to the U.S. economy.
