The National Park Service has just released a report that shows that 810,000 visitors to Cabrillo National Monument in 2023 spent $54.3 million in communities near the park. They also claim, “That spending supported 678 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $76.2 million.”
National Park Service Director Chuck Sams expressed his pride.
“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year. And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.”
And Superintendent Chris Rodriguez said this:
“People come to Cabrillo National Monument to enjoy the view, learn something new, or hike one of our many trails, and end up supporting the US and local economies along the way. We’re proud that Cabrillo National Monument supports jobs and generates economic benefit to communities near the park.”
Here is more from the park’s press statement:
The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 billion in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. The restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.
An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, and total economic contribution by sector for national, state and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available on the NPS website.
To learn more about national parks in California and how the National Park Service works with California communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/california.
Our comment: Better keep the lighthouse open, then.
