Grand Teton National Park has $597 million local impact

Visitors to Grand Teton National Park spent an estimated $597 million in local gateway communities last year. A Department of Interior report said that had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of over $779 million and supported 9,365 jobs in nearby communities. Grand Teton National Park Superintendent David Vela said, “In 2016 park staff and the global park community welcomed over 3.3 million recreational visitors to Grand Teton National Park. Visitors from around the world experienced all that this majestic place has to offer while contributing significantly in economic benefits to our nearby communities.” According to the 2016 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.2 percent) followed by 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), and camping (2.5 percent).