News Release

Tourism to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park contributes $150 million to local economy

View from inside a room at Mission San José to a mesquite tree and the church.

NPS Photo/Andrew Shirey

News Release Date: September 3, 2024

Contact: Chantelle Ruidant-Hansen, [phone]

SAN ANTONIO – A new National Park Service report shows that 1.2 million park visitors to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in 2023 spent $95.0 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,480 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $150 million.

“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.” 

"San Antonio Missions National Historical Park not only protects and preserves the cultural heritage, historical structures, archaeological resources, and natural landscapes but also plays a vital role in supporting the local economy,” said Superintendent Christine Jacobs. “We’re proud to contribute to the economic landscape supporting 1,480 jobs and generating $95 million in revenue to communities near the park while welcoming visitors from all over the world.”

The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 billion in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. The restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.

An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, jobs, 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 Texas and how the National Park Service works with Texas communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/texas.