Report: Morristown national park generates nearly $21M for region

George Washington is about to get some home improvements
CHEER UP, GENERAL. The Morristown traffic island where George Washington keeps watch is about to get a makeover. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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george washington at jockey hollow april 2010
General Washington re-visits Jockey Hollow, now part of the Morristown National Historical Park, in April 2010. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

More than 264,000 people took home memories from the Morristown National Historical Park last year — and spent nearly $15 million while they were here, according to a report by the National Park Service.

That money supported almost 200 jobs, for a cumulative benefit of nearly $21 million to the area’s economy, the report states.  Here is more, from the National Park Service:

 

Tourism to Morristown National Historical Park Creates $20.6 Million in Economic Benefits

Report shows visitor spending supports 197 jobs in local economy

Morristown, NJ – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 264,363 visitors to Morristown National Historical Park in 2014 spent $14.8 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 197 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $20.6 million.

“The staff and volunteers at Morristown National Historical Park welcome our neighbors, folks from the entire State of New Jersey and nearby New York and Pennsylvania, and visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Thomas E. Ross.

“We are delighted to share Morristown National Historical Park’s story and the experiences it provides. We think of 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 positive factor in the Morristown, Morris County and New Jersey economies 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 importance of Morristown National Historical Park cannot be overstated as to the economic health and cultural well-being of the Morristown area,” stated Leslie Bensley, executive director of the Morris County Tourism Bureau.

“Our partnership with Morristown National Historical Park continues to strengthen,” Bensley noted, “as we forge ahead with heritage tourism initiatives that will drive more visitors to our area who seek an authentic experience.”

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 https://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm

The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

To learn more about national parks in New Jersey and how the National Park Service works with New Jersey communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/newjersey.

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