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Tourism to Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River contributes $21 Million to local economy
Report shows visitor spending supports 157 jobs in nearby communities
BEACH LAKE, PA – A new National Park Service report shows that 327,000 visitors to Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River in 2023 spent $16.6 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 157 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $21 million.
“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.”
“People come to the Upper Delaware River to paddle, fish, and to enjoy the countless recreational opportunities and scenic beauty along the river. In the process, visitors support local communities and their economies,” said Superintendent Lindsey Kurnath. “We’re proud that Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River helps support over 150 jobs and generates over $21 million in revenue to local river communities in and around the Upper Delaware.”
The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national park sites. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. The restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.
An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, and total economic contribution by sector for national, state and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available on the NPS website at www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/vse.htm.
To learn more about national parks in New York and Pennsylvania and how the National Park Service works with local communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/newyork or www.nps.gov/pennsylvania.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ 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, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
