2022 socioeconomic monitoring of National Park Service visitors: Report on 2022 data collection
Otak, Inc., RRC Associates, University of Montana. 2023. 2022 socioeconomic monitoring of National Park Service visitors: Report on 2022 data collection. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NRSS/EQD/NRR—2023/2550. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2299662
A strong mandate and need for socioeconomic monitoring have been expressed in the National Park Service (NPS) strategic goals for science, in statements by the NPS leadership, and in various official reports. This mandate resulted in a pilot socioeconomic monitoring study conducted in 2015/2016 at a sample of park units across the United States. This pilot study was used to inform a 2022 nationwide visitor survey conducted at 24 NPS units across the United States. The 24 parks were chosen using a detailed selection process so that units form a representative sample of the National Park System. This report represents a first understanding of nationwide visitor characteristics and informs core issues of visitor use management. Managers can use the result to develop a deeper, contemporary understanding of who visits NPS units and what they do during their visits. On the ground, the study uses a multi-method survey methodology to capture a representative sample of visitor information, characteristics, and behavior: (1) an on-site intercept survey conducted via tablet, and (2) a post-trip survey (completed either by mail-back or online) for more in-depth trip details. The results are organized by these two survey instruments and aim to provide a national view of trends in visitor demographics, experiences, expectations, and perceptions to improve management decisions.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Otak, Inc.; RRC Associates; University of Montana
- Date of Issue
- 2023-08
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2299662
- Units
- EQD , NRSS
- Keywords
- demographics, SEM, Socioeconomic monitoring, trip characteristics, visitor surveys