08/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2024 08:20
BAR HARBOR, MAINE - A new National Park Service report shows that 3.88 million visitors to Acadia National Park in 2023 spent $475 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 6,600 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $685 million.
"I'm so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year," said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. "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."
"People come to Acadia National Park to experience the beauty of its amazing landscape and recreate on its historic carriage roads and hiking trails," said Superintendent Kevin Schneider. "We're proud that Acadia National Park not only offers visitors an extraordinary experiences but significantly supports local businesses.
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 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 Maine and how the National Park Service works with Maine communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/maine.