GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) - A report from the National Park Service said more than 9.6 million visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park spent $741 million in communities near the park in 2012.
A news release from the park service said the spending supported 10,959 jobs in the local area.
The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists along with the National Park Service. The report shows $14.7 billion of direct spending by 283 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park.
According to the report, most visitor spending supports jobs in restaurants, grocery and convenience stores (39 percent); hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts (27 percent); and other amusement and recreation (20 percent).
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