HVNP tourism creates nearly $2 million in economic benefits

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A National Park Service report shows 1,887,580 visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 2016 spent $159,195,500 in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,917 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $199,923,400.

A National Park Service report shows 1,887,580 visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 2016 spent $159,195,500 in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,917 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $199,923,400.

“It’s exciting to see the steady increase in both visitation to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the consistent economic benefit park visitors provide to our Hawaii Island community in the way of jobs and their spending,” said park superintendent Cindy Orlando.

“We noticed the increase in visitation from the start of 2016, which marked the 100th anniversary of both the National Park Service and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. When lava from Kilauea reached the ocean last summer, coupled with the ease of steady viewing of the summit lava lake, visitation continued to climb.”

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas of USGS and Lynne Koontz of the NPS.

The report includes information about visitor spending at individual parks and by state. To learn more about national parks in Hawaii and how the National Park Service works with communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment and provide outdoor recreation, visit www.nps.gov/Hawaii.