Glacier National Park generated an estimated $199 million in visitor spending for its gateway communities last year, according to a report released by the National Park Service.

As with the park system as a whole, overall spending in Glacier tracked alongside 2015’s record visitation, with more money spent than during any of the three previous years.

The study defines “gateway communities” as those within 60 miles of a National Park System unit.

Visitor spending in Glacier Park amounted to a $5.7 million increase over 2014’s record-breaking year, and was more than $20 million higher than in 2013 or in 2012.

The study estimated that 3,500 jobs in the park’s gateway communities were supported by that economic impact last year — a 100-job increase over the 2014 estimate.

Visitors spent more than half of that $199 million on lodging, food and drinks. Restaurants and bars accounted for $65.7 million, while hotels received $36.3 million.

Transportation and gas spending — calculated separately — each brought in an estimated $20.3 million while the retail and recreation sectors were responsible for $19.6 million and $18.7 million, respectively. The remaining $18.6 million was attributed to groceries and camping-related expenditures.

National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis said the report underscored the value of the nation’s park system, noting that overall visitor spending eclipsed the $2.6 billion allotted to the agency by Congress last year.

A record 307.2 million people spent $32 billion in communities situated near the 411 national parks, monuments, historic sites and other units in the park system last year.

“The way I like to think about it is the park service is as an investment for the American economy. Every dollar the taxpayer puts into the National Park Service returns 10 to the U.S. economy,” Jarvis said during a media conference call Thursday. “I would buy that stock. That’s pretty good stuff.”

He added that spending has remained mostly flat during the previous decades, suggesting that the recent uptick in nationwide park spending could be linked to the park service’s centennial anniversary this year, which the agency has promoted through its “Find Your Park” program and other initiatives.

And if that trend continues, 2016 could put even more money into the coffers of business owners serving visitors to Glacier.

Park Superintendent Jeff Mow has said he anticipates another year of record visitation, particularly without a repeat of the smoke and fire that dominated much of 2015’s tourist season.

While winter and spring visitation pales in comparison to the dense crowds bustling along Going-to-the-Sun Road during the summer months, the first three months of the year have lent some credence to that prediction. First-quarter visitation to the park numbered over 50,000 — a 12.7 percent increase from 2015.

Reporter Sam Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.