Texas national park tourism $188M economic benefit

TEXAS – National Parks in Texas saw 3,939,160 visitors in 2012, received $188.1 million in economic benefit, and supported 2,592 jobs, according to the National Park Service.

“This new report confirms that national park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service,” said Sue Masica, director of the National Park Service’s Intermountain Region.

The national report shows $14.7 billion of direct spending by 283 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 243,000 jobs nationally and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $26.75 billion.

Jobs in restaurants, grocery and convenience stores received 39 percent of spending, hotels, motels and B&Bs received 27 percent, and other amusement and recreation received 20 percent.