This Is Utah's 'Superstar Of Tourism' Racking Up Big Bucks For The State

Zion National Park is one of the main draws of tourism in Utah, reported Deseret News. The so called 'superstar of tourism' brings in millions of visitors to the state each year, boasting a huge economic success.

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah studied the economic impact of the national park.

According to the study, Zion National Park is one of 62 national parks in the country and is the fourth-most visited one in the nation.

Jennifer Leaver, Gardner Institute senior tourism analyst, stated:

"Zion National Park is a top driver of Utah's travel and tourism economy. In this study, we worked with park managers and stakeholders to project Zion visitation over a 10-year horizon."

The study found that Zion's popularity had a positive impact on tourism in the following ways:

• One-third of Utah's national park spending was by Zion visitors.
• Over 40 percent of all visitors to the parks traveled to Zion.
• Zion visitors spent a record $253.6 million in 2019 in Kane and Washington counties.
• The earnings from 2019 supported 4,438 jobs, $140.5 million in earnings, $253.3 million in gross domestic product, and $42.2 million in state and local tax revenue.
• An estimated $1,133 was spent per travel party per stay in 2019, which racks up an estimates $434 million in the surrounding communities.

To see the full positive impact of tourism at Zion National Park, click here.

Photo: Getty Images