Bandelier. Courtesy/BNM
BNM News:
- New report shows visitor spending supports 252,000 jobs nationwide
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 193,914 visitors in 2011 spent $9,218,000 in Bandelier National Monument and in communities near the park.
That spending supported 139 jobs in the local area.
“Bandelier National Monument is a wonderful place to relax, get exercise and learn about America’s story,” park superintendent Jason Lott said. “And the people in our nearby communities are invested in the park. Whether they visit the park, own or work at a business that serves local or long distance visitors or provides services for the park and our employees, there is a positive economic impact on our local and our national economy.”
The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by Yue Cui, Ed Mahoney, and Teresa Herbowicz of Michigan State University for the National Park Service.
The report shows $13 billion of direct spending by 279 million national park visitors. The spending occurred in communities within 60 miles of a national park and supported 252,000 jobs, most of which are also in the communities near national parks. The visitor spending had a $30 billion impact on the entire U.S. economy.
Superintendent Lott commented that every community near Los Alamos, Espanola, Santa Fe and Albuquerque benefit from tourism to the monument.
“Although you may be hearing bad news about budgets and how they are affecting parks, don’t be discouraged! Visit us anyway and bring your family and friends along, too, he said. “Buy a Bandelier Annual Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Your visits help our staff to continue doing the good work of protecting and helping you to understand the cultural sites of Frijoles Canyon, as well as our backcountry trails and Tsankawi along N.M. 4.”
According to the report, most visitor spending supports jobs in lodging, food, and beverage service (63 percent) followed recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11 percent), transportation and fuel (7 percent) and wholesale and manufacturing (2 percent.)
To download the report visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/products.cfm#MGM and click on Economic Benefits to Local Communities from National Park Visitation, 2011.
To learn more about national parks in New Mexico and how the National Park Service works with Alaskan communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to http://www.nps.gov/newmexico.
For more information about Bandelier, go to http://www.nps.gov/band and friend BandelierNPS on Facebook.
