A recent National Park Service (NPS) report highlights the significant economic impact of the Blue Ridge Parkway, revealing that 16,757,635 visitors to the park in 2023 contributed a substantial $1,390,803,000 in spending to local communities. This influx of revenue supported 19,159 jobs in the surrounding areas and delivered a cumulative economic benefit of $1,810,286,000.
The findings are part of the NPS’s 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report, which underscores the broader economic influence of national parks across the United States. The report details that 325.5 million visitors to national parks collectively spent $26.4 billion in nearby communities. This spending generated 415,400 jobs, $19.4 billion in labor income, and $55.6 billion in total economic output nationwide.
Among the various sectors benefiting from this economic activity, the lodging industry saw the most significant direct contributions, with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs created. Restaurants followed with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.
The NPS has also introduced an interactive tool that allows users to explore visitor spending, job creation, labor income, and economic contributions by sector for national, state, and local economies. This tool includes year-by-year trend data, offering a comprehensive view of the economic impact of national parks.
For more detailed information and to access the interactive tool, visit the National Park Service website.
