01 Sep Tourism to Independence NHP creates $178 million in Economic Benefits
Independence National Historical Park
Release Date: September 1, 2023
Contact: Andrew McDougall, Andrew_Mcdougall@nps.gov 215-435-4372
Tourism to Independence National Historical Park creates $178 million in Economic Benefits
Report shows visitor spending supports 2.4 thousand jobs in local economy
Philadelphia – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 2.7 million visitors to Independence National Historical Park in 2022 spent $178 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 2.4 thousand jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $282 million.
“Independence National Historical Park welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world.” said Acting Superintendent Alex Romero. “We are honored to share the story of this historical park and its relevance for all people. The park also serves as a gateway to the mid-Atlantic Region and all there is to experience. National Parks are a significant economic driver nationally and, as we approach our nation’s 250th birthday in 2026, Independence National Historical Park will have a tremendous benefit to the local tourism industry and the local economy. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors here in the Philadelphia region and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.”
According to the 2022 report, most park visitor spending nationwide was for lodging (30.69 percent) followed by food and beverages (23.11 percent), gas and oil (15.69 percent), retail (10.86 percent), recreation industries (8.47 percent), local transportation (2.88 percent), and camping fees (2.83 percent).
Annual appropriations for the NPS totaled $3.3 billion in fiscal year 2022, effectively turning a $1 investment in national parks into a more than $10 boost to the nation’s economy.
The latest report is informed by new socioeconomic monitoring survey data, which greatly increases the accuracy of spending estimates for each park and helps the National Park Service learn more about park visitors. This advanced monitoring also delivers a more accurate estimate of the economic contributions of parks to communities.
Results from the Visitor Spending Effects report series are available online via an interactive tool. Users can view year-by-year trend data and explore current year visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value-added, and economic output effects by sector for national, state and local economies. The interactive tool is available on the Visitor Spending Effects webpage.
The annual peer-reviewed economics report was prepared by economists from the National Park Service. Learn more about how NPS-managed lands and programs provide economic benefits on the NPS economics webpage.
Celebrating 75 years: Our history is America’s history.
A unit of the National Park Service, Independence National Historical Park was created 75 years ago by an Act of Congress on June 28, 1948. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, Independence NHP covers almost 54 acres in Philadelphia’s Old City, and includes Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, Franklin Court, and other historic buildings associated with the founding of the United States. Events, programs and special exhibits which celebrate our 75th Anniversary will be held throughout the year. For more information on our 75th Anniversary events, visit the park’s website, http://www.nps.gov/inde or follow us on social media by searching @IndependenceNHP.