Hawaii volcano National Park Earns Around $125 Million
According to a report, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, known for its beauty and the erupting volcanoes has collected $124,937,400 in economic benefit, in the year 2013.
“We are pleased to again report a steady annual increase of visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site,” said park Superintendent, Cindy Orlando. She further added, “The ease of viewing the summit eruption from Kīlauea, the many free cultural and scientific programs, the re-opening of Volcano House, and the diverse ecosystem of native plants and animals that park stewards have worked hard to protect for nearly 100 years are part of what attracts people, and can be attributed to the increase.”
The visits to the park have been rapidly increasing in the last few years. The report shows that around 1,476 jobs have been supported by the spendings from tourists. The direct spending of $14.6 billion by the 273.6 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of the national park have supported more than 237,000 jobs nationally, with more than 197,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $26.5 billion.
Major influence of the spending was on restaurants & bars (50,000 jobs) and lodging (38,000 jobs).
Orlando explains, “National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy- returning $10 for every $1 invested in the NPS – and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbours and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities and businesses.”
The analysis of the spending was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists, Catherine Cullinane Thomas, Christopher Huber and Lynne Koontz for the National Park Survey.
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