Tourism to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Contributes $24,310,000 to Local Economy

Contact: Lisa Baldwin

Contact: Jody Mays

MIDDLESBORO, Ky. - A new National Park Service report shows that 729,249 visitors to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in 2024 spent $23,973,000 in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $24,310,000.

"Cumberland Gap continues to be a hub for travelers from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Lisa Baldwin. "Last year over 700,000 people visited the park, bringing over $24 million to the local economy. We are proud to work with area communities to help visitors discover the amazing history, unique culture, and majestic beauty of Cumberland Gap."

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. Users 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 Kentucky, Tennessee, or Virginia and how the National Park Service works with communities in those states to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/state/ky, www.nps.gov/state/tn, or www.nps.gov/state/va.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park preserves the historic Cumberland Gap, a key point for crossing the Appalachians that became known as the First Gateway to the West. Located where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet, the park's 24,000 acres includes 85 miles of hiking trails, front and backcountry camping, a historic Appalachian settlement, cave and rock formations, and 14,000 acres of managed wilderness. The visitor center in Middlesboro, Kentucky, is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. Entrance is free. For more information visit our website or Facebook page.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov , and on Facebook , Instagram , X(Twitter ) , and YouTube .