Tourism at the three national parks in southern West Virginia contributed 96.5 million to local economy

News Release Date:
September 3, 2024

Contact: Eve West, 304-719-6364

Glen Jean, WV - A new National Park Service report shows that 1,900,000 visitors to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River in 2023 spent 96.5 million dollars in communities near the three parks. That spending supported 1,268 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of 116.5 million dollars.

"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."

"Tourism spending has increased throughout West Virginia," said Park Superintendent Charles Sellars. "We are pleased and proud that our three national park sites have been a part of what is a larger trend by supporting additional revenue into our local counties and, since we are now a national destination, most likely West Virginia counties and other states that are enroute to us."
Spending increased 9% over 2022 and jobs increased 10%. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve was the most visited of all three sites and had the highest visitor spending at 86.1 million dollars. The top four sectors include lodging (27%), restaurants (22%), Gas (17%) and groceries (14%). For jobs supported the top four sectors include restaurants (25%), lodging (22%), recreation (10%) and retail (7%).
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 West Virginia and how the National Park Service works with West Virginia communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/westvirginia.
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About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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