ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Visitors to New Mexico’s national parks and monuments spent more than $67 million in the parks and surrounding communities in 2010.
That spending also supported more than 1,000 jobs in the state.
The findings are part of a report released Tuesday by the National Park Service. It’s based on an analysis done by Daniel Stynes of Michigan State University.
More than half of the spending and jobs are related to lodging, food and beverage services.
Intermountain Regional Director John Wessels says the report illustrates the economic vitality the parks and monuments bring to New Mexico.
One of the most popular, White Sands National Monument had nearly 471,000 visitors in 2010 who spent $16 million.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park had more than 428,000 visitors who spent more than $23 million.
