America's national parks losing £48m a day in revenue as shutdown enters day 10
https://jattravel.blogspot.com/2013/10/americas-national-parks-losing-48m-day.html
America's national parks are losing
715,000 visitors and £76million (£48million) a day, according to a study
looking into the affects of the partial government shutdown.
Ten days after a stand-off in Congress over new budget agreements, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees has looked at how the country's tourism industry is being affected.
All but essential government services have been shut down, meaning the 401 national parks, from the Grand Canyon to Yosemite and Yellowstone, are closed to the public.
The lost revenue to the government from entrance fees and rentals is estimated to be around $450,000 (£282,000) a day since 87 per cent of the national parks workforce were sent home on October 1.
Grand Canyon National Park, in Arizona, has been badly affected, with residents from the town of Tusayan gathering at the entrance on Wednesday to protest at the closure. The community relies on the steady stream of tourists who make the journey to the park, particularly in the mild month of October and say they are losing tens of thousands of dollars a day.
Tourists have also protested at the closure in their own way. Since the Grand Canyon closed, 21 people have been caught trying to sneak in to walk the paths and complete popular rim-to-rim treks.
The worst-hit park, according to a study by Headwater Economics, are Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in North Carolina and Tennessee. It has lost 257,534 visitors in the first 10 days and $23million (£14million).
It is particularly popular with visitors in October who come to 'leaf peep' and enjoy the autumn colours as the leaves turn gold.
Grand Canyon National was the second hardest hit, losing 120,000 lost visitors in the first 10 days, who would normally contribute $11.8million (£7million) to the economy.
And Yosemite National Park, in California, has also made it into the top three, losing 106,849 visitors $10million (£6million).
Maureen Finnerty, former superintendent of Everglades and Olympic National Parks, described the figures as "mind-boggling".
There have been suggestions made by some that the parks could be left open, even if they can't be staffed, so visitors can still enjoy the scenery, but Ms Finnerty said it was not a viable option as it would enable looting, poaching and vandalism.
Ten days after a stand-off in Congress over new budget agreements, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees has looked at how the country's tourism industry is being affected.
All but essential government services have been shut down, meaning the 401 national parks, from the Grand Canyon to Yosemite and Yellowstone, are closed to the public.
Protests: Locals complain about the Grand Canyon National Park closure which is costing the community in lost tourism
The lost revenue to the government from entrance fees and rentals is estimated to be around $450,000 (£282,000) a day since 87 per cent of the national parks workforce were sent home on October 1.
Grand Canyon National Park, in Arizona, has been badly affected, with residents from the town of Tusayan gathering at the entrance on Wednesday to protest at the closure. The community relies on the steady stream of tourists who make the journey to the park, particularly in the mild month of October and say they are losing tens of thousands of dollars a day.
Tourists have also protested at the closure in their own way. Since the Grand Canyon closed, 21 people have been caught trying to sneak in to walk the paths and complete popular rim-to-rim treks.
The worst-hit park, according to a study by Headwater Economics, are Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in North Carolina and Tennessee. It has lost 257,534 visitors in the first 10 days and $23million (£14million).
It is particularly popular with visitors in October who come to 'leaf peep' and enjoy the autumn colours as the leaves turn gold.
Grand Canyon National was the second hardest hit, losing 120,000 lost visitors in the first 10 days, who would normally contribute $11.8million (£7million) to the economy.
Golden glory: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is famous for its autumn colours
And Yosemite National Park, in California, has also made it into the top three, losing 106,849 visitors $10million (£6million).
Maureen Finnerty, former superintendent of Everglades and Olympic National Parks, described the figures as "mind-boggling".
There have been suggestions made by some that the parks could be left open, even if they can't be staffed, so visitors can still enjoy the scenery, but Ms Finnerty said it was not a viable option as it would enable looting, poaching and vandalism.
