A new National Park Service report shows that approximately 83,400 visitors roamed the grounds of the Fort Stanwix National Monument in 2023, spending some $5.3 million in communities near the park located in downtown Rome.
That spending, officials say, supported 59 jobs in the area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $6.7 million.
“Fort Stanwix National Monument is proud to attract visitors from all over the globe to experience this compelling destination,” said Superintendent Kevin Wyrick. “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 in Central New York.”
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 parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 billion 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.
“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.”
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.
To learn more about national parks in New York and how the National Park Service works with state New York communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/newyork.
