Source: Coastal Review
National parks in North Carolina generated nearly $2.5 billion in visitor spending in 2022, supporting nearly 40,000 jobs and contributing $3.96 billion to the state’s economy according to recent analysis.
The five national parks in North Carolina are Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and Moores Creek National Battlefield.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore saw the most visitor spending in 2022, with $645 million. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site had $19 million in visitor spending, Wright Brothers National Memorial had $28.9 million in visitor spending, Cape Lookout National Seashore had $26.8 million in visitor spending, and Moores Creek National Battlefield had $3.9 million in visitor spending.
“From sacred spaces to wild adventures, every park in the state and across the Southeast region offers a chance to uniquely experience America’s collective heritage,” National Park Service Regional Director Mark Foust said in a release
The economic impact of national park visitation is felt throughout the state. Visitors to national parks spend money on lodging, food, transportation, and other goods and services. This spending supports jobs in the tourism industry and other sectors of the economy.
National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said that national parks are “economic engines” for local communities. “The money that visitors spend at national parks creates jobs and supports businesses,” he said.
“With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 300 million visitors every year. The impact of tourism to national parks is undeniable: bringing jobs and revenue to communities in every state in the country and making national parks an essential driver to the national economy,” Sams continued in his statement.
The economic impact of national park visitation is significant. In 2022, national parks generated $23.9 billion in visitor spending nationwide, supporting 378,400 jobs and contributing $50.3 billion to the U.S. economy.
National parks are important economic assets for North Carolina and the nation. They provide jobs, support businesses, and boost tax revenue. National parks are also important cultural and historical resources that enrich our lives.
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