Ore. national parks bring $100 million benefit in ’14

A National Park Service report out Thursday says just over 1 million visitors to national parks in Oregon spent $71.6 million in the state last year. That spending resulted in 1,224 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $100.9 million.

“The national parks of Oregon attract visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Pacific West Regional Director Chris Lehnertz. “Whether they are out for an afternoon, a school field trip, or a month-long vacation, visitors come for a great experience, and end up spending some money along the way.

“This new report shows that national park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy – returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service – and a big factor in the state’s economy as well, a result we can all support.”

The national parks in Oregon include Crater Lake National Park, the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and Oregon Caves National Monument, as well as parts of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and Nez Perce National Historical Park.

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz.

The report shows $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 277,000 jobs nationally; 235,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $29.7 billion.

According to the 2014 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (30.6 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.3 percent), gas and oil (11.9 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs (9.9 percent).

To download the report visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm.

The report includes information for visitor spending by park and by state.

To learn more about national parks in Oregon and how the National Park Service works with Oregon communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to http://www.nps.gov/state/or/index.htm