A recent report from the National Park Service highlights the significant economic contribution of visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. In 2024, 1,433,593 people visited the park, spending a total of $445 million in nearby communities. This expenditure generated a cumulative economic benefit of $571 million and supported 3,605 jobs across the region. n nSuperintendent Rhonda Loh emphasized the mutual relationship between the park and surrounding areas. “Visitors come to witness active volcanoes, native ecosystems, and Hawaiian cultural heritage, and in doing so, they contribute financially to local economies,” she said in a press statement. “We express our gratitude to the communities and tourism sector that support both the park and its guests.” n nKey findings from the 2024 Visitor Spending Effects analysis include: approximately 80% of visitors stayed overnight, spending an average of $763 per group each night. Those who lodged locally—whether in hotels, campsites, or with family and friends—typically stayed for 6.4 nights on the Island of Hawai’i. About 24% of overnight travelers cited the national park as the main reason for their visit. n nNationally, the report reveals that visitors to U.S. national parks spent $29 billion in adjacent communities in 2024. This spending translated into $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 billion in total economic output. The lodging industry accounted for the largest share of direct economic impact at $11.1 billion, followed by restaurants with $5.7 billion. n— news from Big Island Video News n
— News Original —nHawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Reports Visitor Impacts To Local Economyn(BIVN) – A new National Park Service report shows the local economic impact of spending by visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. n nThe 2024 Visitor Spending Effects analysis shows 1,433,593 visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in 2024 spent $445 million in communities near the park. The NPS says that spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $571 million, and supported a total of 3,605 jobs. n n“People come to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to experience active volcanism, its plants and animals, and the Hawaiian culture, and as a result, visitors support and spend money in local communities,” said Superintendent Rhonda Loh in a news release. “We mahalo the communities and the visitor industry who in turn support the park and our visitors.” n nThe NPS highlighted this additional information: n nAbout 80% of visitors stayed overnight in local area lodging and spent an average of $763 per group per night. n nOn average, visitors who stayed in local area accommodations (lodging, camping, or staying in unpaid lodging with family/friends) spent 6.4 nights on the Island of Hawai’i. n nApproximately 24% of all overnight visitors indicated Hawai’i Volcanoes NP was the primary reason for their trip to the Island of Hawai’i. n nThe news release included this information about the impacts National Parks have on local economies across the United States: n nThe National Park Service report, 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks. This spending provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $11.1 billion in economic output. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.7 billion in economic output.
