Congaree park tourism spurs local economy [Video]

HOPKINS, S.C. — New numbers show tourism at the Congaree National Park brought in over $14 million to the local economy, creating more than 170 new jobs.

“Last year, we alone had 250,000, which seems like a drop in the bucket, but that’s an increase for us,” Jon Manchester said. “We’ve been over 200,000 for the past three years, and we’re on track for another 200,000 plus visitors this year.”

 Manchester is the chief of visitor services at Congaree National Park. He said the park has seen an increase in visitors since the pandemic.

“We went from maybe a 150,000 pre-pandemic to over 200,000 from 2021 up to 2023, so a lot of people coming in that we didn’t see before,” he said.

 According to a recent report from the National Park Service, the park received more than 250,000 visitors, generating more than $14 million. The report’s …