NPS - National Park Service

09/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/05/2024 10:25

Tourism to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP contributes $81.6 million to local economy

News Release Date:
September 5, 2024

Contact:Mary O'Neill, 540-693-3200x4110

FREDERICKSBURG, VA. - A new National Park Service report shows that 845 thousand visitors to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP in 2023 spent $56.6 in communities near the park. That spending supported 695 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $81.6 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."

Park Superintendent Lewis Rogers stated, "People come to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park exploring the history and memory of the American Civil War and end up supporting the US and local economies along the way. We're proud that Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park supports 695 jobs and generates $81.6 million in revenue to communities near the park."

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 state name and how the National Park Service works with state name communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/virginia.