CRUZ BAY — A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 426,931 visitors to Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument in 2014 spent $59,773,800 in communities near the park.
That spending supported 789 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $79,965,400.
“Park visitors and community members often comment on the breathtaking beauty of Virgin Islands National Park and how much they enjoy spending time here,” said VINP Superintendent Brion Fitzgerald. “Few stop to consider how their visit translates into a significant economic benefit to the local and national economy.”
“These economic impact numbers remind us that we are a part of a much larger system of parks, providing significant economic benefits to our country,” Supt. Fitzgerald continued. “National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well.”
“We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are proud of the role that our wonderful natural and cultural resources play in supporting our community,” the superintendent added.
Peer-Reviewed Spending Analysis
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.
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 and other expenses (9.9 percent), according to the 2014 report.
To download the report visit: http://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm
The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.
To learn more about national parks in the U.S. Virgin Islands and how the National Park Service works with USVI communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to http://www.nps.gov/vi.