A new report from the National Park Service shows that the over 2.5 million people who visited Joshua Tree National Park in 2016 dropped a whole lot of coin into the local economy. Makes sense. Joshua Tree is a must-see and, well, people gotta eat.
The report states that the 2,505,286 visitors to Joshua Tree National Park in 2016 spent $123,304,500 in the communities near the park. (note: I think most of that was me scarfing down slices at Pie for the People).
That spending supported 1,701 jobs in the area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $164,529,900. Not too shabby.
Spending broke down like this:
- Lodging – 31.2%
- Food and Beverages – 27.2%
- Gas and Oil- 11.7%
- Admissions and Fees – 10.2%
- Souvenirs and other Expenses – 9.7%
“Joshua Tree welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent David Smith, “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.”
