Report shows visitor spending supports 131 jobs in local economy
WEST BRANCH, IOWA–A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 139,086 visitors to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2014 spent $7,800,400 in communities near the park. That spending supported 131 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $9,928,900. "Herbert Hoover National Historic Site welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Pete Swisher. "We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. 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 glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities."
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.
According to the 2014 report, 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).
To download the report visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/
To learn more about national parks in Iowa and how the National Park Service works with Iowa communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/iowa.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
PO Box 607
West Branch, Iowa 52358
319 643-2541 phone
319 643-7864 fax
Twitter: @HooverNPS
Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS
