A new National Park Service report shows the value of the tourism industry to the local economy. In 2016, there were 304,312 visitors to Dinosaur National Monument who spent a collective $18,084,200 dollars in the surrounding communities. “Dinosaur welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world,” shares Monument Superintendent Mark Foust. “We are delighted to share the special stories of this place and the experiences it provides. We believe the monument is a great way to introduce visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning more than $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 strong support of our partners and are glad to be a part of helping to sustain local communities.” The analysis was conducted by economists from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service. The cumulative benefit of national parks to the U.S. economy was $34.9 billion dollars.
