Tourism to Cape Lookout National Seashore Contributes $32,033,000 to Local Economy

Contact: BG Horvat, 252-838-8908

HARKERS ISLAND, NC - A new National Park Service report shows that 552,786 visitors to Cape Lookout National Seashore in 2024 spent $28,925,000 in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $32,033,000.

"People come to Cape Lookout National Seashore to recreate at the beach and end up supporting the U.S. and local economies along the way," said Acting Superintendent Katherine Cushinberry. "We're proud that Cape Lookout generates $32 million in revenue to communities near the park."

The National Park Service report, 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks. This spending provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 billion in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $11.1 billion in economic output. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.7 billion in economic output.

An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, labor income, and total economic contribution by sector for national, state, and local economies. User can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available on the NPS website.

To learn more about national parks in North Carolina and how the National Park Service works with North Carolina communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/NorthCarolina.