More Than 327 Million People Enjoyed America’s National Parks in 2019! | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    This week, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced the annual economic benefit of national parks to the U.S. and local economies. In 2019, visitor spending in communities near national parks resulted in a $41.7 billion benefit to the nation's economy and supported 340,500 jobs. Visitor spending increased by $800 million from 2018 to 2019 and the overall effect on the U.S economy grew by $1.6 billion. In the last five years, visitor spending has increased by $4.1 billion and the effect on the U.S. economy grew by $9.7 billion.

    According to the annual National Park Service report released this week, 2019 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, more than 327 million visitors spent $21 billion in communities within 60 miles of a park in the National Park System. Of the 340,500 jobs supported by visitor spending, more than 278,000 jobs exist in communities adjacent to parks. The report includes statistics by park and by state on visitor spending and the number of jobs supported by visitor spending.

    With more than 327 million people visiting America's national parks last year, many roads, bridges, visitor centers, historic buildings, trails, and campgrounds are in need of critical repairs. As such, Secretary Bernhardt continues highlighting this important issue and the need to address decades of deferred maintenance in our national parks.

Recognized as America’s best idea, we’ve loved our @NatlParkService for over a century. With more than 315 million visitors last year, our infrastructure is in need of critical repairs. @realDonaldTrump has called on Congress to act! pic.twitter.com/0Ux6rYgnVF

— Secretary David Bernhardt (@SecBernhardt) June 8, 2020

    "We have been working to safely welcome the public back to their national parks and provide more service again," said Secretary Bernhardt. "These treasured places provide respite and recreation for the American people, in addition to vital economic support to gateway communities across the country. The tremendous value of our national parks is undeniable as is the need to adequately maintain them."