A new report from the National Park Service (NPS) reveals the significant economic impact that visitors to Grand Canyon National Park had on local communities in 2023. The report shows that the 4.7 million visitors to the park last year spent an impressive $768 million in nearby towns, supporting 10,100 jobs and contributing $1 billion to the local economy.
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The Grand Canyon, one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the United States, continues to be a driving force for economic growth in the region. Superintendent Ed Keable emphasized the park's crucial role in boosting the regional economy. "The spending by our visitors not only underscores the park’s allure but also highlights its vital role in supporting jobs and boosting the regional economy," Keable said.
The Grand Canyon’s contribution is part of a broader national trend. According to the NPS report titled 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, national parks across the country drew 325.5 million visitors in 2023, who spent $26.4 billion in communities near parks. This spending helped support 415,400 jobs nationwide, resulting in $19.4 billion in labor income and contributing a total of $55.6 billion to the U.S. economy.
NPS Director Chuck Sams expressed pride in the ability of national parks to generate such significant benefits for local communities. "I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year," Sams said. "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."
Sectors Benefiting from Park-Related Spending
The report provides a detailed breakdown of how visitor spending is distributed across different sectors of the economy. The lodging sector, which includes hotels, motels, and other accommodations, received the largest share of spending. In 2023, visitors spent $9.9 billion on lodging, supporting 89,200 jobs in the industry.
Following lodging, the restaurant sector saw the next highest level of spending, with visitors spending $5.2 billion on food and beverages, supporting 68,600 jobs. Other sectors that benefited from visitor spending include recreation industries, transportation, and retail.
Economic Tools and Insights
To provide greater insight into the economic contributions of national parks, the NPS offers an interactive tool that allows users to explore visitor spending, job creation, labor income, and economic contributions by sector. The tool can display data at the national, state, and local levels, making it easier to understand how specific parks contribute to their surrounding economies. In addition, users can access year-over-year trends to see how economic contributions have changed over time.
The NPS interactive tool and the full 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report are available on the National Park Service website.
Broader Economic Impact of National Parks
The Grand Canyon’s economic impact in 2023 is a prime example of how national parks support both conservation efforts and local economies. Across the U.S., the NPS manages more than 400 sites, including national parks, monuments, historic sites, and seashores, all of which contribute to economic growth in their respective regions.
Arizona, home to not only the Grand Canyon but also other renowned sites such as Petrified Forest National Park and Saguaro National Park, benefits greatly from national park tourism. The NPS works with local communities throughout the state to help preserve local history, conserve natural environments, and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation.
To learn more about the economic contributions of national parks in Arizona and across the country, or to explore recreational opportunities in the state’s parks, visit the National Park Service website at NPS.gov.
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The 2023 report underscores the dual role of national parks in both preserving the nation’s natural and cultural heritage and serving as engines of economic growth. For communities surrounding Grand Canyon National Park, the influx of visitors is not only a testament to the park’s enduring appeal but also a vital source of jobs and economic support. As the NPS continues to attract millions of visitors each year, parks like the Grand Canyon will remain integral to both local and national economies.
