National Park tourism in South Carolina creates $105.9 million in economic benefit
April 24, 2016
New report shows visitor spending supports nearly 1,300 jobs in South Carolina
ATLANTA, GA – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 1,519,262 visitors to national parks in South Carolina spent $82.9 million in the state in 2015. That spending resulted in 1,297 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $105.9 million.
“The national parks of South Carolina attract visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Stan Austin, Southeast Regional Director. “Whether they are out for an afternoon, a school field trip, or a month-long family vacation, visitors come to have a great experience, and end up spending a little 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 our state’s economy as well, a result we can all support.”
The national parks in South Carolina and their individual economic impact figures are:
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site: Visitor spending of $2.5 million resulted in 39 jobs and a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $3.2 million
- Congaree National Park: Visitor spending of $4.1 million resulted in 58 jobs and a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $4.8 million
- Cowpens National Battlefield: Visitor spending of $12.8 million resulted in 205 jobs and a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $17.5 million
- Fort Sumter National Monument: Visitor spending of $46 million resulted in 701 jobs and a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $58.1 million
- Kings Mountain National Military Park: Visitor spending of $9 million resulted in 149 jobs and a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $12.5 million
- Ninety Six National Historic Site: Visitor spending of $4.3 million resulted in 71 jobs and a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $5.6 million
The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service. The report shows $16.9 billion of direct spending by 307.2 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 295,000 jobs nationally; 252,000 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $32 billion.
According to the 2015 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.1 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.2 percent), gas and oil (11.8 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.8 percent).
Report authors this year produced an interactive tool. Users can explore current year visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at the NPS Social Science Program webpage: go.nps.gov/vse.
The report includes information for visitor spending by park and by state.
To learn more about national parks in South Carolina and how the National Park Service works with South Carolina communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/SOUTHCAROLINA.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. To celebrate the centennial, the NPS is inviting all generations to discover or rediscover the special places that belong to all Americans. It is challenging everyone to “Find Your Park” with creative events and activities throughout 2016. For more information visit: http://FindYourPark.com.
The National Park Service has more than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 410 National Parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
