Federal shutdown cost US national parks millions
Last year’s federal government shutdown caused a decline of 7.88 million visitors to the nation’s national parks, according to a report published by the National Park Service.
The 16-day shutdown last October resulted in a drop in visitor spending of $414 million the NPS said, which it estimates to be down by a third, compared to an average October.
California, Arizona and North Carolina saw the biggest decline in national park related visitor spending during October 2013, each suffering a drop of at least $25 million in revenue over the month.
Following the shutdown, a nationwide survey commissioned by the Center for American Progress showed that voters were equally dissatisfied with both political parties in protecting access to national parks.
Releasing the full-year NPS economic impact report for 2012, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said national park land "helps propel the nation’s economy as the lifeblood of hotels, restaurants and other local tourism businesses."
The 369 national parks generated $26.8 billion in 2012 which supported 243,000 jobs.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt