Will Economy Affect Summer Tourism at America's First National Park?

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By KFBB News Team

Story Published: May 25, 2009 at 6:09 PM MDT

Story Updated: May 25, 2009 at 6:09 PM MDT

It was a slow start for American's first National Park, as the number of visitors entering Yellowstone this winter was down more than 13-percent compared to a year ago.

"We think it had some to do with the uncertainty about (snow) travel, because we were in court again this past fall," said Park Spokesman Al Nash. "Certainly we recognize that the current economic situation has had some impact on travel."

But despite the slow start Yellowstone is forecasting a busy summer and they have a proven track record to back them up. Last year the park posted one of its best years ever despite record-high gas prices. History has also shown it weathers recessions well.

"What we've seen by studying recessions is our visitation drops a little at the onset of a recession, but frankly it starts to pick up as the recession is ending," said Nash. "In every case since the second World War, after a recession our visitation rebounds to equal or above what it was before we went into the recession."

Within the last few weeks the park says it has already witnessed and uptick in visitors, a trend they believe will last throughout the summer. Business owners in nearby communities who depend on tourism say that is music to their ears.

"Everyone seemed to be holding off on making their reservations, so up until three weeks ago we were looking pretty sparse," said Kelly Willis, the manager of the Absaroka Lodge in nearby Gardiner. "But for some reason within the last 3 weeks, the reservations have just been going off the hook."

Nash says while Yellowstone might not be recession proof, it is recession-resistant.

"Yellowstone remains that quintessential American family vacation," he said. "People may spend a little less time or change how they spend their money while here, but they still come."

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