Tourism to Haleakalā Generates $47 Million in Spending, 536 Jobs

Haleakalā sunrise. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Tourism to Haleakalā National Park in 2013 generated more than $47 million in visitor spending and supported 536 jobs in the area, according to new data released by the National Park Service.

Park officials say the figures are lower than the $64.4 million generated in 2012, and the 736 jobs that were supported by the spending.

The drop was attributed in large part to the 16-day federal government shutdown in October of 2013.

The park recorded a total of nearly 785,300 visitors from across the US and around the world–that’s down from the 1,094,668 visitors reported in 2012, and the 957,000 visitors reported in 2011.

The report also indicates that visitor spending at Haleakalā contributed to $21.5 million in labor income, $36.5 million in value added, and $56.4 million in output.

“Haleakalā National Park is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Natalie Gates in an agency press release.

“We are delighted to share the story of this special place and the experiences it provides. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy – returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service – and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well,” she said.

According to the report, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island recorded at total of 1,583,209 visitors in 2013, with tourism generating more than $124.9 million, and supporting 1,476 jobs in the area.

The report also indicates that visitor spending at Haleakalā contributed to $58.5 million in labor income, $100.9 million in value added, and $155.3 million in output.

Nationwide, the National Park Service reported that $14.6 billion was spent directly by 273.6 million visitors in communities within 60 miles of a park. This spending reportedly supported 237,000 jobs nationally, with 197,000 jobs found in gateway communities, and with a cumulative benefit to the US economy of $26.5 billion.

“We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities,” said Gates.

The information is part of a peer-reviewed spending analysis of national park visitors across the country conducted by economists Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service, along with Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber of the US Geological Survey.