Yosemite National Park recorded more than 4 million visitors in 2010, marking the highest number in the past 14 years and building on a steady increase of visitors over the past four years, according to a news release.
Yosemite received 4,047,880 visitors in 2010, up from 3,866,970 visitors in 2009 and 3,561,656 in 2008. The park achieved the highest level of visitation in 1996 with 4,190,557 visitors. Visitation to Yosemite National Park first hit the 1 million mark in 1954, 2 million visitors for the first time in 1967 and 3 million visitors in 1987.
Among the trends, an estimated 23% of visitors to Mariposa County were international, an increase from 19% in the previous year.
“We’re elated of the news that after many years Yosemite National Park has exceeded 4 million visitors in 2010,” said Jeffrey Hentz, executive director of the Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau. “This milestone is a direct reflection of the incredible cooperation between the Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, the National Park Service, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc., a concessioner for Yosemite and our regional Tourism Bureau marketing partners including Tuolumne County Tourism Bureau, Mono County Tourism and the Yosemite Sierra Oakhurst Tourism Bureau.
“Together the communication of the brand message to consumers worldwide of what a special and diverse vacation experience Yosemite and surrounding Gateways provide has proved successful,” added Hentz. “While the tourism inbound market remains sluggish and will into 2011, I am bullish that with continued cooperation and target messaging our region will provide the opportunity for increased visitation to Yosemite National Park in the years to come.”
“We’re pleased to see the increase of visitors to Yosemite National Park, a place like no other in the United States or the world,” said Scott Gediman, assistant superintendent for public and legislative affairs. “We’re also pleased to see people visiting and enjoying Yosemite National Park year round. People are discovering that the park is spectacular during all four seasons and there are activities for everybody during the entire year.”
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