Thursday Thoughts: NPS 2019 Economic Impacts

Planning for the future requires information, and our goal is to monitor industry research/data to assist our partners in understanding short and long term COVID-19 ideas and opportunities.

Photo Credit : Chronkite News

National Park Service: 2019 Visitor Spending Economic Impacts

Today, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) published data on the economic impact of spending by visitors to units of the National Park Service (NPS) in 2019. The data released allows for a look at the total economic impact of the full national park system, as well as the impact of parks by state and individual park.

According to the DOI data, visitor spending to all NPS units increased by about 4.0 percent between 2018 and 2019. When compared to 2012, the first year that the NPS began comprehensively tracking economic data, 2019 visitor spending has increased by more than 40 percent, while overall visitation has increased by nearly 16 percent.

Of course, the last seven years have included the significant milestone anniversary of the founding of the NPS. In contrast, this year, many NPS units have been closed for nearly three months, including some of the time period that normally represents the pre-summer, shoulder season. As the traveling public begins to emerge from staying at home, they are seeking opportunities to experience wide open spaces. The closure period will almost certainly negatively impact overall 2020 visitor spending an economic impact.

At the same time, the desire to “get out there” will likely counterbalance at least some of losses resulting from the closure period. Interestingly, stricter reopening policies within national parks may push more visitation into the “shoulder season” as well as provide for opportunities for a greater economic impact outside vs. inside the park.

Related to “gateway” communities, Airbnb is working with the National Park Foundation and local destination management organizations to connect Airbnb guests with lesser-known national parks and other public lands. Airbnb’s RebuildingTogether offers data and marketing assistance through partnering opportunities for local organizations. These initiatives should help engage and inform visitors about new destination options, further fueling economic impact for smaller markets.

The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, was the title of the Ken Burn’s PBS documentary. It seems like many visitors agree with this sentiment.

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