National Park Brought Tourists, Boosted Economy In Morristown

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Morristown National Historic Park brought tourists to the area, created jobs and bolstered the local economy by millions of dollars, a new National Parks Service report said.

According to the report, 252,500 visitors came to the park during 2016. They spent $14.8 million in the area around the park, creating 193 jobs and adding $20.7 million to the local economy.

“Morristown National Historical Park welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world,” superintendent of the park, Tom Ross, said. “We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our 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 partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.”

According to the report, visitor spending wass broken down like this:

• Lodging (31.2 percent)
• Food and beverages (27.2 percent)
• Gas and oil (11.7 percent)
• Admissions and fees (10.2 percent)
• Souvenirs and other expenses (9.7 percent)
• Local transportation (7.4 percent)
• Camping fees (2.5 percent)

National parks have benefitted New Jersey as a region. Revolutionary War heritage sites and battlefields located within the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area, which includes Morristown National Historic Park, brought 900,000 visitors to New Jersey. Those visitors generating an economic impact of $166.6 million and supported 1,729 jobs, the same study said, and is a three year average between 2014-2016.

Image via Morristown National Historic Park

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