Visitor spending to Joshua Tree National Park in 2016 increased by more than $25 million over the previous year, according to a new report released by the National Park Service. The report shows that last year, more than 2.5 million visitors to Joshua Tree National Park spent $123.3 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,701 jobs in the local area. Superintendent David Smith said, “National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service.” According to the 2016 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging, at 39 percent, followed by food and beverages at 25 percent. Gas, oil, and transportation, recreation, and souvenirs round out the spending. For more information, go to a link at
www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/vse.htm.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK VISITOR SPENDING LOCALLY GOING UP
