Haleakalā Tops 1 Million Visitors in 2014, Generates $70 Million

Sunrise at Haleakalā. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Tourism to Haleakalā National Park in 2014 generated more than $70.3 million in visitor spending and supported 837 jobs in the area, according to new data released by the National Park Service.

The park also recorded a total of 1,069,725 visitors from across the US and around the world last year–that’s up from the nearly 785,300 visitors reported in 2013 and the 957,000 visitors reported in 2011, but down slightly from the 1,094,668 visitors reported in 2012,

Park officials say the figures are greater than the $47 million generated in 2013, and the 536 jobs that were supported by spending that year.  The 2013 numbers were particularly low because of the 16-day federal government shutdown in October of 2013.

Superintendent Natalie Gates responded to the report saying the staff at Haleakalā National Park is “delighted to share the story of this special place and the experiences it provides.”

Sunset at Haleakalā. Photo courtesy Polly Angelakis.

“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. 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 in an NPS press release.

According to the report, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island recorded at total of 1,598,641 visitors in 2014, with tourism generating more than $136.8 million, and supporting 1,700 jobs in the area.

The report also indicates that visitor spending at Haleakalā contributed to $31.9 million in labor income, $54 million in value added, and $83 million in output.

For 2014, that report shows $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park.  According to the study, visitor spending had a $29.7 billion impact on the entire US economy and supported 277,000 jobs nationwide.