- The NPS consists of 417 areas that cover some 84 million acres
While we are constantly reminded of the massive maintenance backlog currently sitting on our National Parks’ chest, it bears noting that the NPS consistently generates big time revenue year-to-year.
Related: Senator Proposes Taxing Outdoor Recreation Equipment To Pay For National Parks Maintenance
This past year the National Parks Service contributed $35 billion to the US economy with nearly half of that coming from visitor spending. The newly published report also shows how the parks service added some 306,000 jobs with $11.9 billion in labor income.
All in all, the visitor #’s for 2017 totaled a whopping 331 million. The visitors reportedly spent the most on lodging and restaurants/bars.
Find the entire report here: 2017 National Park Visitor Spending Effects Economic Contributions to Local Communities, States, and the Nation
