E-Mail
Print
After Gov. Nikki Haley questioned whether state parks should be managed by a tourism agency rather than a natural resources agency, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism compiled a study to make its point.
The conclusion was the state’s 47 parks are a tourism engine, generating $49 million a year in spending inside and outside the parks by overnight visitors alone. The report also determined that the parks can be self-sufficient if run more like a business. Haley signed off on the report, which aims for the parks generating enough revenue to pay for operations within two years.
To become full self-sufficient, parks officials have to come up with new ways to generate revenue. The goal is to get more people into parks, especially at off-peak times, and entice them to pay more for high quality programs and retail items. Scroll through the photo gallery to find out what changes are in store.
Get The State newspaper delivered to your home. 
